Pruning Deciduous and Flowering Plants

For some people, pruning is an unpleasant, but necessary task - almost like having a root canal - and that's really a shame. I get so much pleasure from selectively pruning my plants. But, if you just can't "do it yourself." do call in a professional before it's too late in the growing season.

Generally, flowering trees and shrubs should be properly pruned within about 30 days of flowering. This is only a general rule of thumb, but it works for me. Don't wait any later than that because many plants set flower buds for next year's beauty soon after the present flowering cycle. You want to prune before this happens or you may not have many blooms next spring.

Since your lilac has not blossomed at the same time as your forsythia, you can still pick a date and prune both plants at the same time; immediately after the bloom period of the lilacs. This allows you to space out your workload.

If you think you've missed the optimal pruning time, plan to prune anyway. For the general health of the plant, pruning late is still better than not pruning at all, even if you lose some flowering the next year.

A good pruning job is not unlike a good haircut - you want to clean up the sloppy edges, but you don't want to leave any bare spots. I like a haircut that looks good even just right after it is done and up to the time to get it cut again. You want to feel comfortable with your pruning all the time, too.

First, you want to remove all the dead branches. Next, look for branches that are crossed and rubbing each other, as well as branches trying to grow into the same space. Consider the plant's natural shape and size and remove the branches that are least valuable by position. Be careful not to cut away too much foliage, which could lead to pruning your plant into an unnatural shape.

Putting the plant on what I call a gradual renewal system can best do this. A plant that is older may have grown gangly and unattractive. We want to achieve a pattern of new, healthy growth by removing approximately one-third of the old branches this year, another third next year, and the last third of the old growth year after next. The progression will encourage new growth, keeping the plant vibrant and giving you the best blooms.

So far, you've removed dead, damaged, crossed and older branches. Now, simply trim the plant to its natural shape, one branch at a time, using hand pruners or a saw. Any tool is fine just so you don't use electric shears or a long blade. I think cutting with a long blade, such as hedge shears, causes the plant's to end up round or square and unnatural looking.

I realize that pruning one branch at a time seems to take much longer than using a long blade and swiping across the entire plant, but, in fact, you will use less time in the long run pruning one branch at a time. Now, I know you don't believe me, so I'll give you an example.

First of all, if you prune the "careful" way, you usually need to prune only once a year. I remember reading a study done at a university in which grounds maintenance personnel were divided into two groups. One group pruned its "half" of the grounds using the shearing technique and the other group pruned its area using the one-branch-at a time method.

The group that sheared had to prune the same plants as many as four times each year. By the end of the third year, the group that didn't shear used 30 percent less time than the other group per year from that point on. A timesaving of nearly a third is certainly significant for an organization - or a homeowner. Most importantly, the plant looks better, stays healthier and is more of an asset to the landscape.

Benefits of pruning include managing the plant in a more natural shape and size and preventing or removing diseased tissue. Because of the increase air flow though the foliage to the plant, humidity is decreased and the likelihood of fungal growth is diminished. Also, you are extending the life of the plant and, therefore, its dollar value by giving it proper care.

After the pruning is finished, dispose of the cur branches and then sit in your yard to enjoy your handiwork. Admire the "trims" you've given your landscape, and revel in the knowledge that you're finished pruning those plants for another year.