Pruning Clinic
Here are some good rules of thumb for pruning. This is the Broccolo Standard Pruning Outline developed by trainer Martha Sorbera.

Broccolo Pruning Standards 

Unless otherwise noted (and when appropriate) plants should be pruned…

  • 6” away from the house
  • Off walkways and driveways
  • Away from lamp posts, and landscape lighting
  • Off the roof and away from gutters
  • To allow better visibility of house numbers
  • To allow access to hose/spigots
  • At or below windowsill height
  • To separate different species; same species can blend together.

    When to Prune
    Note: Date ranges are general and dependent upon seasonal conditions

    Early Spring Pruning

    • April / May
    • Good time to cut Spirea back when reduction is required. Can also thin out old and dead wood.
    • Prune winter dieback from roses and any plow, rodent,
      or winter injury from plants.


    Late Spring Pruning

    • June
    • Post bloom pruning on Spring blooming shrubs i.e., such asLilacs.
    • Thin out water sprouts on Crabapples (especially if they had a recent Winter renovation)
    • Prune winter dieback from hydrangeas


    Summer Pruning

    • July / August
    • To prune shrubs and ornamental trees after the season’s flush of growth. Intended primarily to keep plants in bounds and back in shape – not a good time of year for sever reductions or renovations.


    Fall Pruning

    • September / October / November
    • Touch up pruning after initial Summer Pruning.
    • Prune back summer flowering shrubs post bloom i.e., spirea, potentilla.


    Winter Pruning

    • December / January / February / March
    • Great time to renovate and reduce shrubs and ornamental trees.

    Summer Pruning Services

    We are scheduling our summer pruning service now! This is the time to tame all of that new growth and restore shape and structure to your ornamental plants. Remember, hand pruning is best to keep a natural and healthy shrub. If you are going to use shears, it is best to also go in after you shape and ‘poke holes’ to let sunlight and air penetrate.

    Many people will shear to shape in the summer and then schedule a renovation pruning in the winter to correct the damaging cuts shears can make.
    Contact Us For Pruning
     

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    Theresa, we truly appreciate the public shoutout!