| Conifers do not need extensive pruning and most | | | | largely look after themselves. Mites and aphids |
| are best left to assume their natural shape, with | | | | can be problems on pines and spruces |
| the occasional pruning of an overly long shoot. | | | | respectively, causing the needles to drop and |
| Occasionally, however, you may need to | | | | producing unsightly care stems. Aphids are easy |
| undertake more substantial pruning if the conifer | | | | to control with insecticidal sprays, but mites are |
| starts to get too big for its position. Plants can be | | | | more persistent, you may wish to get in a |
| clipped annually with shears to keep them small | | | | professional to treat an affected specimen. Mites |
| and neat. Do not prune back to leafless brown | | | | are particularly active during warm, dry years |
| stems because these will not re sprout. Cut back | | | | when conifers are under stress. You can help |
| whole stems to restrict the size of ground | | | | prevent outbreaks by watering conifers during a |
| hugging conifers, making the cut under a newer, | | | | drought and spraying the foliage occasionally to |
| shorter shoot that will hide it. Conifers that have | | | | increase air humidity. |
| become too overgrown should be removed. | | | | Do this in the evening to avoid scorching the |
| Another problem that should be pruned out as | | | | foliage on a sunny day. Most conifers prefer a |
| soon as it occurs is reversion, all green growth on | | | | position in full sun, but many will tolerate partial |
| variegated forms. Use scatters or prunes to | | | | shade or being in deeper shade for just part of |
| remove these vigorous shoot, otherwise they | | | | the day. They will not grow well in dense shade or |
| may dominate the more decorative foliage. Most | | | | waterlogged soil, however. If your soil is heavy, |
| conifers produce resinous sap that bleeds freely | | | | you could try draining it, improving the structure, |
| from the stems if they are cut while the tree is | | | | by adding plenty of well rotted organic matter |
| in active growth. Pruning is therefore best carried | | | | and grit before planting, or creating a special |
| out from autumn to mid winter while the tree is | | | | conifer raised bed. Many slow growing dwarf |
| dormant. Use sharp, clean pruning tools as blunt | | | | conifers also so well in containers. A newly planted |
| blades will snag the wood and may provide an | | | | tree or shrub needs to be watered well in order |
| entry point for disease. | | | | to become established. You need to mulch it with |
| Wear gloves and goggles and, if you are using | | | | straw or garden compost to conserve the |
| power machinery, the protective clothing | | | | moisture in the soil. |
| recommended. Once established, conifers will | | | | |