DO Prune Overgrown
Shrubs and Hedges
If shrubs are blocking a window or
parking space, or are encroaching
into an air conditioning unit, it's
definitely time to prune them back.
The ideal is to get shrubs back to
what we call "manageable size"—
attractive and in scale with your
building or property.
DO Prune When Plants
Go Dormant
Prune when plants can tolerate
the cut. Typically, that's when
they're not actively growing and
are dormant.
DO Know Which Plants
Tolerate Hard Pruning
Not all plants tolerate hard pruning.
Most deciduous plants do; most
evergreens don't. Always consult
your Davey representative before
authorizing any pruning.
DO Ask About Pruning
Your Davey Account Representative
is specially trained in knowing when,
how and why to prune. Depending
on where you're located, that may
mean one, two or three prunings
a year, split between the hot and
cold seasons.
DON'T Wait Until Spring
It's too hard on plants, too costly,
too time consuming and potentially
hazardous to do one giant pruning
instead of regular, planned prunings.
Like a haircut, taking a little off the
top or sides now and then keeps
plants looking good year-round.
DON'T Panic at the
First Hard Prune
Although a hard prune can look
a little drastic, like the shrub is
damaged, plants do rebound in
the spring.
DON'T Prune
Ornamental Trees
Flowering ornamental trees rarely
need a hard pruning—unless the
tree is scraping against a window
or blocking a walkway. Unlike
shade trees, which have a very long
lifespan, ornamentals live about15
to 20 years and simply don't require
the rejuvenation and renewal that
pruning provides.
TO
PRUNE
OR
NOT
TO
PRUNE?
While it's tempting to drastically cut back
every overgrown tree and shrub come fall,
pruning plants requires a bit more timing
and finesse. ISA-certified arborist and Davey
Technical Adviser Shawn Fitzgerald tells how
to strike the right balance between pruning
too much–and not enough.
DON'T DO
