Landscaping & Design Ideas

Our customers often ask when the best time of the year to prune & trim is.  The short answer is:  It depends on what is being pruned, and also what you are trying to accomplish.

Often people think of pruning as getting an overgrown shrub or tree back down to a manageable size.  But there are many reasons to prune that have nothing to do with size.  Proper pruning and trimming not only improve the appearance of the plant, but also the condition and vitality.

Pruning can repair damage before more occurs.  It can encourage higher yields of fruits or flowers.  It can make a plant’s shape both more attractive and able to better withstand storms and heavy snows.  It will not only stimulate new growth, but also direct that growth where you want it to go.

You need to be careful about when you prune, because pruning in the wrong season can decrease flowers and fruits.  If you cut back a forsythia in the winter it won’t bloom much in the spring because you have removed most of the flower buds.  It is important to learn the specific needs of each plant you have in your landscape to avoid mistakes like these.  Your local nursery or landscape professional should be able to help you determine the best time to prune your plants.

Here are some general timing guidelines, but it is important to remember that there are exceptions to every rule.

Winter: Trimming deciduous plant in winter can promote fast growth in spring.  The lack of foliage also makes this easier because you can see the shape and branch structure of the plant.  The end of winter is ideal because wound closure begins in spring.

Early Spring: Pruning just before new growth starts allows plants to recover quickly and stimulates growth.

Summer: Summer pruning can cause damage by exposing previously shaded tissue to the sun.  It can also stunt the plant’s growth because it is now using it’s energy to close the wounds caused by pruning.  This is sometimes beneficial in slowing the growth of fast growing hedges.

Fall: Fall is the worst time to shear plants because it encourages new growth that may not have time to harden before winter.  The new growth may then be killed by the cold.  Thinning plants in the fall is ok, especially after the plant has gone dormant.

This is meant to be a general guideline to pruning.  By identifying and researching the specific plants in your landscape, you should be able to tailor a specific plan that fits your needs, and promotes beautiful and healthy growth in your yard.