how can 30 year old juniper bushes be trimmed low without exposing thick branches AND will the greenery return

Answer 1

Well, you can prune the bushes, but you will have to put-up with bare, thick branches until the new shoots emerge. However, if too old you may have to replace them. Below is a description of how to prune them properly. I hope this helps. Good Luck.

http://www.mygardenguide.com/care/Junipers,%20pruning.pdf

Answer 2

That is almost hopeless. The little buds on the thin branches will not be there because the thin branches were cut off years ago. Now on the low end there are just massive sparsely-budded thick branches.

It is time to think about replacing the junipers with new ones. You could saw off and dig out alternating bushes and put the new little ones there. When they start to fill in then the rest of the old useless ones can be replaced the same way. I think that looks better than chopping everything off and replanting all at one time.

Resign yourself to it - the old junipers need to go.

Answer 3

Not a quick fix. Evergreens will not resprout growth on a limb, if you remove all the living needles. Best way to do it would be to remove some of the upper limbs one year, lowering it without exposing large limbs, then next year, remove a few more, till you get it to the shape and height you want.