The best time ofyear to prune a shrub depends on what kind of plant it is. That’s one of the many good reasons to identify the shrubs in your yard. In general, timing your pruning isn’t as complicated as many homeowners fear. Here are some general tips and words of wisdom from the pros:
Winter is usually the best time. If you live in an area with distinct winters, the time when shrubs have lost their leaves and become dormant is an excellent time to prune them. Without the leaves, you can easily see the branching structure of the shrub and decide what to cut. Dormant pruning is usually done in late winter, six to 10 weeks before the average last frost in your area.
You can prune shrubs at any time of year if it’s necessary—for example, to remove broken branches or dead or diseased wood, or to remove growth that is obstructing a walkway. However, when you prune a leafed-out shrub it’s harder to see what you’re doing. Pruning during the growing season also has a greater risk of spreading diseases and may cause unwanted flushes of growth.
Avoid pruning shrubs in winter that will bloom in spring. You’ll be cutting off the flower buds that would provide the spring show. The time to prune a spring-flowering shrub is shortly after it has finished blooming, before it forms next year’s flower buds.
Spring-blooming shrubs, such as forsythia, lilac, and quince in the North, or camellias and azaleas in the South, form their buds in summer, after they bloom. Those buds live through the winter, ready to open in spring. If you prune these plants in winter, you’ll be cutting off flower buds. (The saying is that these shrubs “flower on old wood,” meaning on twigs that grew the previous year.)
Pruning in winter won’t harm the plant, but it will reduce flowering in spring. If a shrub is severely overgrown, you may need to prune it in winter anyway. It won’t bloom that year (or not as much), but it will return to full form the following spring.
Evergreens are not all alike. Prune most evergreen shrubs, such as yews, boxwoods and junipers, in very early spring before their new growth starts, or else in midsummer, when their growth slows in hot weather. Pines are a different matter: The only time you can control their growth is in spring, when new growth appears as “candles” at the ends of branches. You can pinch back one-half to one-third of each “candle.” Don’t cut into the branches, though; pines can’t form new growth from a cut branch.
Wait to shear formal hedges until new growth starts. If you have formal shrubs that you shear with a power hedge trimmer or shears to create a smooth surface, wait until new growth is underway in spring. That will allow the plants to recover from shearing, which is stressful for plants. Shear hedges once or twice more during the season. Always allow an interval of six to eight weeks so sheared plants can recover.
Don’t prune too late in northern regions. In areas with cold winters, avoid pruning after the middle of August. If you prune too late, you may stimulate new growth that would not have time to grow thick, protective bark before the killing frosts of winter.
A landscape professional can help you identify the shrubs in your yard and advise you on how to prune them.
FAQs
Winter is usually the best time.
When should shrubs be cut back? ›
For most shrubs, late winter or early spring is the best time to prune. The plants are still in full dormancy at this time but are just preparing to produce new growth. If your shrub is a spring-blooming variety, though, make sure to leave behind enough flower buds on the stems for a spring show.
What is the 1 3 rule for pruning shrubs? ›
2. Follow the 1/3 rule. Many people are intimidated when they try to think about how much they can prune without damaging the shrub's health and vigor. When making pruning decisions, keep in mind that you can safely remove up to one-third of the plant's growth at any one time.
What happens if you prune shrubs too early? ›
When the sap is flowing
Sap is the lifeblood of a plant, so if you make a cut when it's coursing through the stem of a tree or shrub (early spring for many plants), you're essentially opening a wound. This wound can keep bleeding, sucking the life out of a branch or even the entire plant.
Is it OK to trim bushes in summer? ›
Best Time for Shrub Pruning
Trim shrubs in the summer as soon as possible after flowering to favor as many of next year's flower buds as possible. The later into the summer pruning is done, the more gentle it should be to preserve as many flower buds as possible.
What month is best for pruning? ›
February is the best time to prune your trees – never prune in April, May or June.
- Trimming off dying or diseased branches protects your trees from further harm.
- You can prune to promote new tree growth or suppress unwanted growth.
- Pruning can keep branches from becoming too large and hazardous.
Pruning in autumn and winter could potentially damage the plant, as it can unbalance the root to shoot ratio during a period when it is too cold to regrow. The best time to prune is after flowering.
Is there a wrong time to trim bushes? ›
Winter is usually the best time.
You can prune shrubs at any time of year if it's necessary—for example, to remove broken branches or dead or diseased wood, or to remove growth that is obstructing a walkway. However, when you prune a leafed-out shrub it's harder to see what you're doing.
What not to do when trimming bushes? ›
Maintain healthy trees and shrubs by avoiding these six common pruning mistakes.
- Pruning without a goal. ...
- Improper pruning cut. ...
- Heavy pruning during the growing season. ...
- Using dull tools. ...
- Topping a tree. ...
- Over-pruning any time of year.
No Flush Cuts
While it may look clean and streamlined, a flush cut removes the branch collar, an area of tissue that's needed to form a seal over the pruning cut. Because the plant cannot close over the wound, a flush cut leaves an opening for pests and pathogens to enter the plant and damage or kill it.
Proper branch pruning
Cut on a small branch or twig about 1/4 inch above the bud. To shorten a branch or twig, cut it back to a side branch or make the cut about 1/4 inch above the bud. Always prune above a bud facing the outside of a plant to force the new branch to grow in that direction.
What is the first rule in pruning? ›
ALWAYS prune back to or just above a growing point (branch or bud) or to the soil line. NEVER leave a stem or branch stub. NEVER top a tree to “rejuvenate” growth. Â This ruins the plant's natural shape and greatly increases its susceptibility to diseases, insect pests, and storm damage.
How far to cut back overgrown shrubs? ›
Begin by removing one-third of the large, old stems at ground level in late winter/early spring (March or early April). The following year (again in March or early April), prune out one-half of the remaining old stems. Also, thin out some of the new growth.
Do you cut down bushes in the fall? ›
Any gardening expert will tell you, (contrary to what you may believe) that pruning encourages new growth just when the plant is trying to go dormant and new growth doesn't have enough time to harden before the first frost and freezing temperatures hit. Pruning at this time of year will severely weaken the plants.
What is the best time of year to trim hedges? ›
Late spring, early fall, or winter (when the hedges are fully dormant) are the best times for pruning hedges. Don't prune hedges during very hot, dry weather, and prune well before your first frost date.
How far back can you trim evergreen shrubs? ›
Pines and spruce are best pruned in May after their spring flush of growth has occurred. It is best to only lightly prune these plants by either cutting the new shoots or candles back about one half. Cutting back into older wood will not initiate in new growth and will leave a stub which will die out over time.
