Pruning Trees + Shrubs

 

 

Pruning all shrubs is not a necessity. ‘Bridal Wreath’ Spirea and Abelia are beautiful when left to grow freely, but many others benefit from trimming/pruning annually or more frequently to look and perform their best.
 

You can trim lightly and remove only the last couple of inches of new growth or be more aggressive and cut a shrub back 25% or more depending on the species and the reason for pruning.
 

CAUTION: Many spring blooming plants (azaleas, gardenias, Indian hawthorn, and many others) have already set buds for this year. Any trimming will result in fewer and possibly no blooms this year. Wait until after they complete blooming to trim these plants. Do your research and confirm when a plant blooms and the correct time of year to prune your plants.
 

Many growers will shear their plants (trimming 1-2 inches off all branches) using garden shears to keep the plant compact and neat looking. During the growing season this technique will result in fresh new growth and a new bloom cycle. This works on reblooming azaleas, abelias, drift roses and many other species.
 

 

More aggressive pruning is necessary when a plant has grown too large or needs to be thinned. Following the natural shape of the plant keeps it looking natural, or you can create a controlled look by shaping the plant into a precise shape – cones, globes, squares, spirals, etc.
 

Thinning a plant can be accomplished by cutting select branches at the base of the plant or back to a main branch. Removing branches in this manner thins the shrub out, allowing the plants height and width to be controlled. This also lets more light into the center of the plant which will promote more leaf growth.
 

 

Keep the base of the shrub wider than the top of the shrub. This allows light to reach all parts of the plant and will promote even leaf growth over the entire plant and not just at the top.
 

 

Remove any dead or damaged branches. Use hand pruners for small branches ½” or less and loppers for larger branches.
 

Cut off branches that are growing at odd angles or growing inwards toward the center of the plant.
 

 

For more specific questions text pictures to (903) 339-0922 or call us at (903) 753-2223.