When and How to Prune Trees & Shrubs in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco

Commercial and residential horticultural experts in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco know best when and how to prune trees & shrubs, the same way they know best when and how to apply fertilizers and pesticides to lawns, trees & shrubs. It is always best, therefore, to consult them on these matters. On the other hand, owners of residential and commercial lawns and gardens would be better situated if also fairly knowledgeable on the required upkeep of their horticultural holdings.

When to Prune Trees & Shrubs

Basic pruning is done upon planting trees & shrubs, but only dead, broken and diseased branches should be removed at that time. It is best to do real pruning and plant training during the dormant late winter season after planting. This way, leaves do not crowd and cover the branch structure and fresh wounds are quickly sealed and healed by the new spring growth.

If apple trees, flowering crabapples, mountain ash, hawthorns and shrub cotoneasters are pruned in autumn or early winter, the pruning sites are likely to dry and die back. If they are pruned in spring or summer, they are likely to get infected with bacterial fireblight.

If oaks are pruned in late spring or summer, beetles may be attracted to the wound and spread oak wilt. If you have to prune at this time, wound dressing should be applied.

If honey locusts are pruned in rainy or humid summer weather, stem cankers may develop.

Some trees & shrubs should be pruned in spring, though. Shrubs that bloom on their new growth should be pruned before that new growth starts. The same goes for shrubs that are grown mainly for their foliage.

On the other hand, trees & shrubs that bloom on the previous year’s growth early in spring should be pruned promptly after they have finished blooming.

Trees that have flowing sap in late winter or early spring should be pruned in late spring or early summer when their leaves are full to avoid bleeding. Not more than a fourth of the leaves and branches should be removed. Some of these trees are maples, box elder, butternut, walnut, birch, ironwood and blue beech.

How to Prune Trees & Shrubs

Young trees are pruned for shape, but the leader should not be cut back except for trees with multiple leaders such as evergreens. In such cases, a single leader should be retained. As the tree grows, lower branches are removed in order to raise the crown. Also removed are branches that grow too close together on the trunk and branches that grow back toward the middle of the tree.

Twigs and branches are cut up to a fourth of an inch above the bud. Cuts are done above buds that face outwards so that new growth will be in that direction.

When cutting large branches, care must be taken not to tear the bark. The swelling branch collar is left intact for better wound sealing and to prevent decay.

The same principles are followed for shrubs, as well. Shrubs with stems that are not very hardy should be pruned up to live wood. Woodier shrubs are pruned up to their first pair of buds that are above ground.

Bare root deciduous shrubs are pruned upon planting. When used as hedges, they are pruned up to six inches above the ground. Broken and diseased branches are removed, as well as crossing and circling roots. Branches are also thinned out in order to achieve proper spacing.

If you know when and how to properly prune trees & shrubs, you will be able to communicate better with your commercial or residential horticultural service provider in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco.