How to Trim Overgrown Bushes
Trimming your bushes and shrubs is an essential part of lawn maintenance. Just like our hair, bushes can become overgrown, unkempt, and unattractive. But before you go cutting off branches on your shrubs you should know the proper technique and the appropriate time. Not knowing what you are doing can damage your shrubs leaving them vulnerable to the elements, pests, and diseases. Keep reading to learn the proper way of trimming and pruning your bushes.
Why Should I Prune My Bushes?
Trimming and pruning isn’t all about the aesthetic value; It can also improve the health of your plants. Unnecessary branches draw water and nutrients away from the rest of the shrub. Removing these branches will redirect the nutrients to the rest of the plant encouraging growth.
Benefits of Trimming
- Direct water and nutrients to other parts of the plant
- Help direct the shrubs growth
- Remove unhealthy or dead branches
- Improves overall health
- Boosts curb appeal
When Should You Prune?
Different species of shrubs start growing at different times. But the best time to prune all depends on the type of plant. Trimming before new growth begins encourages fruit and foliage production.
February-April
Trimming your shrubs in the late winter or right before the arrival of spring is an ideal time to prune ornamental and fruit-bearing trees such as:
- Apples
- Crab apples
- Pears
- Cherries
- Peaches
Later winter/early spring is also a good time to trim your evergreens shrubs such as:
- Gardenias
- Arborvitae
- Hemlock
- Holly
May-June
Species that flower in the spring depend on the previous year’s growth for their flowers so it is important that you don’t chop off just any random branch. Cut older branches to the ground to encourage more flowering and rapid growth. The best time to prune these bushes is in late spring after they have finished flowering. These include:
- Rhododendron
- Roses
- Lilac bushes
June-July
Species that bloom in the summer grow their flowers on the new growth of the current season. To know which is the new growth look at the stems. Green bark indicates the stem is new and has another season left. Brown bark means that the stem has finished two seasons of growth and will die. These shrubs should be pruned at the end of summer after they have borne their fruit. These include:
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
- Butterfly bush
- Crape myrtle
August-September
Pruning in the fall before plants enter dormancy should be kept to a minimum. This is because trees and shrubs are storing vital nutrients and preparing for the winter months. Pruning and trimming during this time is not recommended because the tree is in a vulnerable state and can’t defend against pests and diseases. Fall pruning should only be done to remove dead or dying branches. If you can’t wait until next year to prune, then wait until the plant has entered dormancy.
What Tools Do I Need To Trim My Bushes?
When it comes to caring for your plants and shrubs it’s important that you use the right tools for the job.
Gloves
Always wear gloves to protect your hands from blisters, cuts, and contacting noxious plants such as poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.
Eye Protection
Pruning and sawing can create a lot of sawdust that can get in the eyes and cause irritation and small cuts. Always wear eye protection when pruning your trees.
Bypass Pruner
Bypass pruners are used to trim small new growth and twigs at the main stem.
Snips
Snips are great for cutting flowers, herbs, and thin stems.
Lopper
Loppers are used for jobs that are too large for pruners but not large enough for a pruning saw.
Pruning Saw
A pruning saw easily takes care of medium to large branches and is one of the most important tools in your pruning arsenal.
Pole Saw
A pole saw is great for reaching branches that are too high or out of reach. They can extend 15-20 feet and reduce the risk of climbing ladders.
Tips for Trimming Your Shrubs
At the base of every branch is a distinct bulge where it connects to the trunk of the tree or an older branch, known as the branch collar. When removing tree branches, don’t ever cut the branch flush with the trunk or parent limb, be sure to always leave a short stub, to preserve the branch collar so the tree can heal over the wound more easily.
Pruning with Loppers
To make the cut, place the cutting blade side of the secateurs or loppers towards the side of the branch crown when making the cut, this prevents the flat part of the blade crushing the bark and plant tissue
Pruning with a Saw
The technique for pruning with a saw is a little bit different and involves three cuts. First start a cut a few inches from the trunk and halfway through the underside of the branch. This will prevent the bark from tearing when the limb falls.
For the second cut, move further out on the branch and cut through the entire branch. If the falling branch tears the bark off the tree it will stop where you made the first cut.
The third cut removes the nub of the branch. It should be done closest to the tree trunk on the outside edge of the branch collar.
Need Help Pruning Your Shrubs? Hire Professionals at Got-Lawn for Shrub Care
If you need help pruning or trimming your trees, then call the professionals at Got Lawn. We are a family-owned and locally-operated business that has been serving the Atlanta area for over 20 years. Contact us today at 470-785-8855 or leave a message on our website and we will get back to you.