As a rule, prune shrubs and trees that bloom in spring immediately after the flowers fade. Prune trees and shrubs that bloom in summer in winter or early spring, before new buds emerge. In regions that have harsh winters, late summer pruning encourages new growth that might not harden before the cold sets in. Overgrown and neglected spring flowering shrubs often require extensive pruning to rejuvenate or renew plants.
The best time to rejuvenate large, overgrown shrubs is late winter or early spring (March or early April). Intense pruning in late winter or early spring will reduce or eliminate flower display for 2 or 3 years. However, rejuvenating pruning will restore the health of the bushes. As a rule, light summer pruning can be done on most deciduous trees and shrubs.
A more intensive pruning should be carried out when the tree is inactive, preferably in late winter, before active growth begins. Trees such as maples (Acer) bleed heavily sap and should be pruned in winter while trees are dormant. Shrubs that bloom in spring, such as lilac and forsythia, bloom during the growth of the previous season and must be pruned within two weeks after flowering. Pruning at any other time will reduce or eliminate flower display.
February and March are good months to prune some of our woody landscape plants. By now, trees and shrubs are inactive. The ground is also solidly frozen, so it's easier to reach the branches and remove them. And with the exception of evergreens and oaks, they have dropped their leaves providing a clear view of their structure.
In winter or very early spring, when the trees are dormant and no new buds have formed yet, take out the clippers. In winter, with no leaves or flowers on the way, you can get a better idea of the shape of the plant. In spring, after the leaves have sprouted, you can remove any growth you see around the base, but do not prune the rest of the tree or shrub, as the new leaves are too young to replenish the energy that pruning creates. If you have a shrub that blooms in spring, prune it after the flowers have completely faded.
If your shrubs bloom in summer, do the pruning in late winter or early spring. Those that bloom in early spring, such as lilac, forsythia and rhododendron, produce flowers on wood formed the previous year. The best time to prune them is in late spring, immediately after they finish flowering. If you prune them later in the growing season or during the winter, you will remove flower buds and decrease the amount of spring bloom.
This means that usually around March or April, just before the spring heat gets. This time works because they will continue to sleep, and that makes it easier for them to heal from the cuts you make. In addition, it will be easier for you to see where to prune, since the leaves will no longer be there. In general, consider pruning the beginning of your gardening season, which is done right around the time you review seed catalogs and consider spring gardening options.
The right time for pruning deciduous shrubs is determined by the growth habit of the plant, the flowering time and the state of health or condition. It is also easier to see the structure of the tree without its leaves to better find problem areas, such as rubbed branches, weak crotches, broken or cracked branches, and competing leading branches. should only be pruned in the winter months, when trees are dormant, to prevent the spread of a common fungal disease called oak wilt. I have some branches hanging over my flowers and I want the flowers to set sun, will it kill the tree if I cut off the branches? I also have branches hanging over my ceiling and I need to cut them, will it kill the tree?.
The tree will have more time to seal the wounds before the growing season begins and there will be less sap coming out of the wounds. Reduce deciduous shrubs that grow mainly because of their foliage, such as the golden smoke tree shown here, almost anytime except late fall. The worst time to prune trees is in late spring and early summer, when their leaves are expanding and the tree is devoting its energy to growth. However, simply using pruning shears or a hedge trimmer every time you have a spare moment is not an ideal tactic.
Hello, it's mid-November in upstate New York and I have a burning bush too big that I'm very tempted to prune. The thinning of the branches allows more of the tree or shrub to absorb the sun's rays and helps control its shape. For example, pruning in mid-summer, especially when a shrub or tree is blooming or is full of foliage, can cause disease or pest problems because it leaves you exposed to infections or infestations. Avoid heavy pruning in late summer; pruning too much at this time will encourage new growths that may not harden in time for winter.
To maintain a steady supply of productive wood, prune about a third of the oldest stems of these shrubs each winter. . .
