Tree and Shrub Pruning Tips
How to Know When to Prune Trees and Shrubs
Pruning is especially important for low hanging branches, limbs brushing up against the house, or trees that have been damaged by storms, which can all pose safety risks and potentially cause property damage. But you should also trim trees and shrubs to stimulate growth and flowering. Old, weak, diseased, or crossing branches should be trimmed and thinned out so center branches can get more sunlight. Light pruning can also help young shrubs grow fuller and bushier.
When to Prune Specific Plants
It’s important to know the best time to prune your plant species, as trimming at the wrong time can damage your plant.
Early spring is the perfect time to trim summer-flowering plants:
- Gardenia
- Crape myrtle
- Cypress
- Magnolia
- Juniper
Spring-flowering plants should never be pruned in early spring, as stripping their buds can prevent spring blooming. Plants you won’t want to prune in early spring include:
- Lilac
- Rhododendron
Tree Trimming Techniques
Cut branches at an angle parallel to the junction where branch and trunk meet. If you angle the cut properly, a healthy callus will swell around the wound. Avoid leaving stubs behind or your plant will be susceptible to disease and dangerous insects. For your safety, contact a professional for trimming large trees or for tackling tasks that you can’t safely complete with your equipment on hand.
Tree Pruning Tools & Equipment
Here are some tips for selecting the right equipment for your project:
- Sharpened hand shears or pruning shears are best for thinner and easily accessible branches, while chainsaws are better for larger branches.
- For hard-to-reach limbs, use a pole saw to extend your reach to overhead branches. With an extended pole length of 10-feet, you can safely prune while keeping your feet on the ground.
- When cutting dead twigs and branches, it’s best to use an anvil pruner, while bypass pruners or lopping shears are perfect for ensuring a clean cut on live branches.
- A hedge trimmer is great for maintaining thick hedges quickly and efficiently.
Contact a professional arborist if you are unable to make a cut from the ground, if a tree intersects power lines, or if you have severe storm damage affecting heavy limbs.