Pruning- when is best

Prune plants at the time of year when it will cause them the least stress.  For most plants, this is from mid-June onward.  An exception to the rule is Elm trees which should be pruned in winter when the Dutch Elm beetle is not active.  It is not recommended to use wound paint after pruning, as the tree will heal itself.  Dead wood can be pruned anytime.

 

Follow the Calendar guide for plant info and pruning schedule for branches:  

• Late winter- Prune summer bloomers and old wood for new stem color. (eg. Dogwood)
• Early spring- Roots are uptaking water and minerals, buds forming.  No pruning.
• Spring- New leaves/needles forming, buds forming.  All the energy reserves are used for these activities.  Do not prune.  For deadheading flowers of lilacs and, do so immediately after flowering before next years buds are set.  For fruit trees that bloom in spring, prune soon after the blossoms have gone.  You will loose some fruit that would have been on these branches, but for the health of the tree, pruning now gives the tree time to heal the cutting wounds.
• Summer- Prune now!  Trees are in full leaf, lots of carbohydrates are being made therefore plants can spend energy for repair.  New wood is being formed, flowering and reproduction occurs on some plants.  Prune spring bloomers, birch and maple after leaves are completely out, perform routine care and pinch the candles (see below) on coniferous trees in early June.
• Fall- Do not prune during the time when leaves start to shed until all leaves have fallen off, as storage of energy has begun.  Since pruning stimulates new growth, any new growth begun during this stage may not have time to harden before winter.
• Early winter- Non-woody roots are forming.  Winter kill could happen therefore no pruning.

       Evergreens

Candles are the new growth formed from last years buds. If you pinch off half the candle, in June, you will reduce growth and increase density. This needs to be done before the new bud is formed otherwise you will remove next years candle. Evergreens only grow from the previous year’s buds, and they need to grow ½” every year. If you pinch back to the same spot next year you will be into the old wood, and there is no new growth from old wood. 

Leave the lower branches as they grow; only removing dead branches. 

Junipers can be trimmed in July after annual growth is complete. Trim from underneath the branches to keep the look natural.

calendar photo by: ltmhs.ca