Pruning Trees and shrubs

• Promote plants health

• Maintain plants form and encourage development of flowers and fruits

• Improve plants appearance

• Protect people and properties.

When to Prune?

• Prune trees and shrubs that flower in early spring (redbud, dogwood, forsythia, etc.) immediately after flowering.

• Always prune trees and shrubs that flower in the summer or fall during the dormant season so flower buds will form on new stems during the next growing season.

• Prune shrubs grown for the foliage rather than showy flowers in the spring (honeysuckle, ninebark, sandcherry, etc.,) before growth begins.

• Do not prune oaks during April, May, or June.  It attracts the beetles that cause oak wilt disease.

• Do not prune maple trees after late winter or early spring because of the bleeding of sap. Prune after leaves fully expand in late spring or early summer.  Never remove more than ¼ of the live foliage.

• For Pines, remove up to 2/3 of the length of newly expanded candles, to promote a more dense growth. Removing terminal buds will take away new growing points for that branch will eventually die back.

How to Prune?

• To shorten a branch or twig, cut it back to a side branch or make the cut about 1/4 inch above the bud.  Always prune above a bud facing the outside of a plant to force the new branch to grow in that direction.

• To remove large branches, make the first cut on the underside of the branch about 18 inches from the trunk.  Undercut 1/3 to one-half way through the branch.  Make the second cut an inch further out on the branch; cut until the branch breaks free.  The branch collar grows from the stem tissue around the base of the branch.  Make pruning cuts that removes only branch tissue.  Do not leave a stub.  The final cut is made by cutting down through the branch and severing it.