Pruning is an important part of perpetuating the plant life cycle, but in order for it to be beneficial, the process must be perfect! Here are a few tips to help you hone your plant pruning skills before the trimming season arrives:
Don’t fear the first cut. You might be looking at your shrubs worrying that pruning will butcher their beautiful blooms, but don’t! Pruning is actually a very easy task and produces great results to keep your plants thick and healthy when performed.
Young shrubs need pruning too. If your shrub is young and flowers, stick to a light pruning with hand trimmers, cutting just above the bud. This is a technique called heading, where you direct the new branch growth depending on the cuts you make.
Detangle and thin old shrubs. As shrubs age they can become tangled and overgrown, which is why it’s necessary to trim heavily using thinning cuts to help them keep shape. However, be sure not to remove ⅓ of the plant in a pruning session. This means it may take a few years to get the plant completely under control.
Leave small trees alone. Young trees can use all the leaves and branches they can get, so avoid snipping away at them just yet. However, if you notice any dead, broken or injured branches, it’s okay to remove them to keep trees protected from pests and disease.
Time your pruning perfectly. Typically pruning should take place in late winter or early spring. Pruning too early can stunt plant growth and actually damage them instead of boosting their health. For spring-flowering plants pruning should take place in late spring or early summer.
Although winter is still on its way, as you’re tucking away your lawn care tools for the cold weather it’s important to begin planning your spring pruning in advance.
At Turf Unlimited, we realize that pruning your plants can be time-consuming, difficult and even dangerous, which is why we offer a full array of pruning services for all seasons! Just give us a call and let our lawn care and landscaping experts will prune your yard with precision while you enjoy the convenience of kicking back and relaxing and the peace of mind in knowing that your shrubs will be pruned to perfection.
To learn more about our seasonal trimming and pruning services, call 888-649-9919 today!
