When to prune trees, bushes and shrubs
Spring is usually the most ideal time for pruning shrubs, hedges and trees, when plants are still dormant. When a plant is pruned during dormancy, the cutting points heal more rapidly.
When to prune trees, bushes and shrubs
Spring is usually the most ideal time for pruning shrubs, hedges and trees, when plants are still dormant. When a plant is pruned during dormancy, the cutting points heal more rapidly.
Why pruning seasons matter
Best time to pruning is before the new growth begins. When pruning is done before the buds open it will not reduce the nutrients collected by the plant. The flow of liquids is at a low level at this time of the growing year, and leafless shoots are easy to detect and cut.
In particular, heavy pruning measures like rejuvenation pruning (cutting down) should be done early in the spring before the beginning of the growth season. This ensures the plants will recover successfully. Dead and diseased parts in shrubs and trees can be removed at any time of the year.
Note! Although the rest period of plants begins in the fall, pruning in the fall is not recommended because fungal diseases spread easily in moist growth.
Take sap flow and flowering into account
Plants that produce sap profusely in the spring are an exception. Such varieties should be pruned later in the summer or in late winter before the beginning of the most profuse flow of liquids. Such varieties include horse chestnut, walnut, cherry trees, birch, plum trees, bird cherry trees and maple trees, for example.
In terms of pruning, whether the plant is flowering on the current year’s or previous year’s stems is also essential. If a shrub or a tree flowers on the previous year’s stems, the pruning should be done later in the summer, after flowering. This ensures that new stems where flowers will be formed are not removed by accident.
When to prune different plant groups
Shrubs
Prune approximately a third of the oldest branches in early spring before the new growth has started. If your plant blooms on new growth, wait until after flowering to do the pruning.
February–March: Prune in early spring.
June–August: If the shrub blooms in early spring prune after blooming.
Hedges
Trim your hedges every spring before the growth starts in the spring and again after midsummer to limit growth if needed.
February–March: Prune in early spring.
June: Trim in the summer if needed.
Berry bushes
Prune berry bushes in early spring. Prune branches that are damaged, old, touching the ground, or not making fruit any longer.
March–April: Prune in the spring.
September: Prune after harvest.
Trees and fruit trees
Prune trees and fruit trees in the spring before the new growth starts. Trees that have sap flow during spring are an exception to the rule: prune those later in the summer in July-August.
February–April: Prune in early spring.
July–August: If sap flow in spring prune late summer.
Conifers and coniferous hedges
Prune conifers and coniferous hedges in early spring and if needed, prune away new fresh growth again in the summer. Remember that conifers grow slowly, so prune with caution.
February-March: Prune in early spring.
July: Trim in the summer.
October: Trim in fall if needed.
Flowers and herbs
Pick herbs and flowers in sunny weather, early in the morning. Not after rain.
June–September.
