Cut the main branch off just above the smaller one. If you have large shrubs, use an extended-reach hedge trimmer to reach the top. Because plants need water to survive, any shrubs touching your home could cause water damage over time. Last Updated: March 25, 2020 Pruning at the wrong time won’t damage plants, but it can sacrifice that year's flowers or fruit. In general, you can prune flowering plants at any time. You can trim non-flowering shrubs anytime except late autumn when any new growth the plant has after trimming won't have time to mature before it goes dormant. Thinning out the center will help light reach the bottom branches. You should remove all dead or dying branches to keep the plant healthy, but avoid removing more than 1/3 of the plant at a time. For information from our Horticultural reviewer on how to remove dead, diseased, or overgrown branches from your shrubs, read on! We just moved and our new house has shrubs. A hedge trimmer is ideal for cutting the shrub's height because running it over the top will give you a smoother finish. Plant advice from The Morton Arboretum: The objectives of pruning deciduous shrubs are to maintain vigor, remove damaged or diseased branches, help maintain the natural size and shape of a plant, and improve flowering and fruiting. Pruning different types of plants requires different methods. Your tools should be sharp enough to leave a straight, clean cut. "But if you miss the ideal time to prune, you can always wait until the shrub's flowers brown out," says This Old House … Light trimming to keep it from looking overgrown is fine, but too much may damage your plant. The rule of thumb is that if the bush blooms in fall or in late summer, you should prune it in early spring before new growth emerges. If you move into a new home and find the backyard filled with badly overgrown shrubs, it’s time to learn about rejuvenating shrubs with pruning. Try to retain the shrub's natural shape as much as possible to keep it healthy. The proper time to prune needled evergreens such as pines is the winter dormant period. Flowering shrubs are trickier because trimming them at the incorrect time can mean a loss of next year's flowers. If the bushes in your foundation plantings are overgrown, you may have the urge to start hacking away at them. Always cut branches on a slant, at a 45-degree angle. There are four basic pruning techniques used for maintaining shrubs… What is the best time of the year to trim bushes? Here are the steps to correctly pruning shrubs and trees around your yard: 1. This improves air circulation around the back branches and ultimately results in a healthier bush. It depends on the shrub species. Prune summer-blooming trees and shrubs … We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Pruning your shrubs is a super easy job. Rejuvenate fan-shaped (or "vase-shaped") deciduous bushes such as forsythia, lilacs and bush-form roses by cutting back a third of all branches right down to the ground each year. I have old shrubs in my RV park. This brief introduction will point you in the right direction. But before you haphazardly attack that lopsided hydrangea devouring your front walk or the rhododendron obscuring your windows, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of the basic information on pruning shrubs. Repeat the process with this and all main branches, stepping back now and then—maybe even across the street—to assess the results. If you have made a good, angled cut at the proper time, each species will safely heal its wounds without damage from frost, insects or disease. Should I trim behind the knobs on the bushes that are growing around my front door? As a rule of thumb, prune spring-flowering shrubs and trees immediately after the flowers fade. Yes. I want to make my hedge smaller (shorter and narrower). Forsythia is perhaps the poster child for this warning. Pruning Flowering Trees, Shrubs, and Vines . Shrubs can make a beautiful addition to any yard or garden, but if left to grow on their own, can look out of control. How and when should rose bushes be trimmed? Support wikiHow by How is this done without risk of killing the hedge? For a natural look, use the technique known as "heading back." No. With your eye and hand, follow this main branch until it meets a lower side branch that more or less points upwards. If you have evergreen shrubs, then you’ll basically just want to look for any shoots that are causing the bush to look misshapen. % of people told us that this article helped them. Routinely trimming your shrubs can help them look well-maintained and prevent them from damaging your home's siding. For flowering plants, however, avoid doing extensive trimming until its dormant season. You can trim trees and shrubs in the spring with the exception of maples, birches and elms. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. If I trim my shrubs will they require more water? Unlock this expert answer by supporting wikiHow, https://www.bhg.com/gardening/trees-shrubs-vines/care/what-to-prune-when/, https://www.lowes.com/projects/gardening-and-outdoor/pruning-hedges/project, http://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2017/06/the-correct-or-proper-way-to-trim-shrubs/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd4elZ7eglI&feature=youtu.be&t=12, https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1781&context=extension_histall, https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/landscape/proper-pruning-techniques/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. A flat-topped cut may cradle water when it rains, inviting fungus or disease. Shrubs that are old or overgrown may need to be pruned over several years. The bumpy area is rich with plant growth cells. With your eye and hand, follow this main branch until it meets a lower side branch that more or less points upwards. However, paying attention to when your plant blooms and pruning … Remove any part of the stem or branch that is brown, dried out, or discolored. Research common pests or diseases your shrub might suffer from and keep an eye out for early signs of damage. Prune slightly lower down than you feel really comfortable with; remember, new growth will add additional height over the next six months. Is that advisable rather than wait until the fall? Remove What is Dead or Dying. Of next year 's flowers wo n't see the plant 's backside, so it stays healthy after trim... Bush and locate the tallest main branch until it meets a lower side that... Available for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker your eye and hand, follow main... House or wall depends on what kind of shrub you have large shrubs, read on in general, can! 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