Basic
Pruning Guidelines
Spring
Flowering Trees & Shrubs
Pruning for those
plants whose flowering time is before June 1st should be done immediately
after flowering. Pruning later could result in the loss of next season’s
bloom. Some examples include: crabapple, deutzia, forsythia, lilac,
redbud, serviceberry, rhododendron, viburnum and weigela.
Summer
Flowering Trees & Shrubs
Those plants which flower after June 1st can be pruned at anytime, except
in the heat of summer when insects are active. Twiggy shrubs such at
potentilla and spirea also benefit from a good “haircut”
first thing in the spring. They will bounce back looking fresh and full.
These plants may also be lightly trimmed after each flush of bloom to
promote re-bloom.
Pruning
Methods
Pruning should be
done to enhance the natural growth pattern of the tree or shrub. Hedging
should be avoided because it encourages all growth to be at the tips
of the plant. Only use this method if that is the desired effect.
Deciduous shrubs and trees in particular will benefit from a thinning
and opening of their structure. Cut the branches at different lengths,
1/4” above an outward facing active bud.
When trimming branches from a tree cut just slightly forward of the
growth ring. It is suggested any “in the tree” work be left
to professionals.
Tips
and Tricks
Start
pruning while plants are young to maintain the natural form and avoid
the need for corrective pruning later.
Know why the plant is being pruned and what your final goal is before
you start.
Remove any dead, broken, injured, diseased, or insect infested branches.
Prune out undesirable branches such as crossovers, suckers, sprouts,
or those branches which are too long or too low.
Prune “bleeders” such as maple, birch and dogwood in mid-summer
or late fall. Spring pruning does not injure these trees but heavy sap
flow may be objectionable.
Allisonville Nursery
garden
center, garden gifts, landscaping
11405 Allisonville Road
Fishers, IN 46038
Phone
317.849.4490
Fax 317.849.5948
We are not
a mailorder nursery. Plants and products are
available for pick-up at our Fishers, Indiana location.
