Pruning can be a bit confusing with all the different plants and their needs. Here are a few tips to help guide you and your cutting tools this fall:
1. Do you have the right tools?
The choice between pruners, loppers, or a saw depends on the size and type of branches you’re dealing with:
- Pruners: Best for small branches and stems, typically up to ¾ inch in diameter. They’re great for shaping and deadheading plants.
- Loppers: Ideal for medium-sized branches, usually between ¾ inch and 2 inches thick. They provide extra leverage and reach, making them perfect for shrubs and small trees.
- Saw: Necessary for larger branches, typically over 2 inches in diameter. A pruning saw or a pole saw can help with thicker limbs on trees or large shrubs.
2. Do plants need pruning now or in Spring?
- Summer & Fall Flowering Shrubs: Prune in the fall for flowers that bloom in summer and those that bloom in fall right after they finish flowering. For example, Fall flowering camellias (Camellias sasanqua) may be lightly pruned after blooms start to fade. However, do not prune your spring flowering camellias (Camellia japonica) now. Hydrangeas may be generously cut back in the summer/fall. Although oakleaf hydrangeas may not flower the following year if pruning is done too late in the season.
- Spring Flowering Shrubs: Spring-blooming azaleas need to wait until after the flush of blooms in April/May to be cut back as buds develop on old wood. This is also the case for lilacs. In general, it is best to prune spring flowering shrubs just after flowering is complete and blooms start to fade.
- Evergreens: Light pruning can be done in fall to maintain shape but avoid heavy pruning late in the season with big cuts. These cuts may be slow to heal with the decrease in temperatures and may make the trees vulnerable.
- Perennials: Many can be cut back in the fall after the first frost, such as hostas, daylilies, and peonies. If you’re a wildlife enthusiast keep those native plants with seeds untrimmed, such as purple coneflower and goldenrod, around to add interest and feed the birds.
- Fruit Trees: It’s generally best to avoid heavy pruning close to winter. Instead, wait until late winter/early spring just before flower buds appear -sometime in late February/early March is ideal.
More to Consider
Always consider your local climate and the specific needs of your plants for the best results. When in doubt, do your research and check the best time to prune. Most trees benefit from late February – early March pruning with a few exceptions ☺ those flowering trees and shrubs that develop on old wood.
