[rossww]

We've got 6 mature evergreens at the front of our house. That's about the extent of my knowledge of their species (someone might have told me they were junipers however I may just have been dreaming). The needles are short and very pointy (sharp). Over the years, I've been trimming the sides but generally allowing them to grow taller.

Now that some of them are 15+feet tall, I think squirrels and/or mice are using them to climb up and somehow making it into our attic. We now hear occasional scratching from above our heads and behind the walls.

My main question is this: Can I shorten them (the trees that is, not the rodents) all by around 2 feet?
If so, then here's a few more questions to follow:
-How long will it take to shape the tops as all the branches are pretty much bare up to the last (most extreme) 8 inches or so. In other words, how long will it take for the tops to fill back in?
-When can I trim them?
-What are ideal trimming temperatures/weather conditions?
-Is there any recommended fertilizer for these trees?

If it helps, I live in eastern-central Canada.

Thanks for your help,

Ross

[ballengerb1]

Hey Ross, lets first talk about mice and squirrels. Its most likely squirrels and they don't need your bushes to get to your roof so if that is the only reason for cutting, don't bother. I have seen squirrels climb rain down spouts, telephone wires and power lines. Go to a sporting good store that sells hunting gear, buy coyote urine and soak a rag with it. Toss the rag into the attic in the afternoon, no more squirrels. Now if you still want to cut the evergreen you can but they will have a stunted top for quite some time. If you want a more natural look you need to start about 5 feet lower than you want. Reach in a cut out about every 5th branch, move up a foot and cut another every 5th branch and so on.