| Pruning your trees and shrubs is a very important | | | | growth. Pruning before flowering will not generally |
| part of any maintenance program for your | | | | injure the plant but you will usually see a reduction |
| landscape. By pruning on a regular basis you can | | | | in the amount of flowering. Plants that flower in |
| avoid excessive pruning on plants which have | | | | the summer should be pruned during the months |
| become overgrown. | | | | in which the plant is dormant before new growth |
| Why prune: | | | | appears. Because the buds occur on current |
| Five of the most important reasons to prune are | | | | season's growth, pruning after growth begins |
| as follows. Pruning increases light and air circulation | | | | could decrease floral development. Cedars and |
| within the canopy. Pruning also can be used to | | | | junipers may be pruned at anytime of the year. |
| increase the amount of fruit or flowers on a plant. | | | | Spruce and pine can also be pruned at any time. |
| Removing unsightly suckers or water-sprouts is | | | | Shorten shoot length (candling) during growth in |
| another reason to prune. Returning a plant to its | | | | early summer for best results on these conifers. |
| natural growth habit is needed in some cases, | | | | Deciduous trees can be pruned at almost anytime. |
| certain plants need to be pruned when | | | | Avoid spring pruning as bleeding may occur. |
| overgrown. One example of this is the lilac. Pruning | | | | Generally this will not harm the tree but can be |
| can also be used to maintain the size and shape | | | | unsightly to the homeowner. |
| of a plant within the landscape. | | | | Pruning tips: |
| When should I prune: | | | | When pruning a tree or shrub, never leave a stub |
| Some plants can only be pruned at specific times | | | | after making the cut. Cut back to a bud or just |
| of the year. Most plants can be placed into | | | | outside the branch collar. Never remove more |
| categories based on some of their characteristics. | | | | than 1/3 of the canopy when pruning. Never |
| Plants that flower in the spring should be pruned | | | | make your cuts flush, these cuts remove the |
| after flowering and before setting buds for the | | | | closing off mechanism of the plant and will have a |
| next season. Because they flower early in the | | | | hard time healing. Ensure your tools are of the |
| spring, buds will develop on the previous year's | | | | proper size and are sharp. |