Page 58 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 130

58 Issue #130 November 2023 www.sportsenergynews.com

Let it Grow – To prune or not to prune, that is

the question!

By Marion Dalley

t is often a source of confusion, which shrubs
Ishould be pruned in which season.

And of course, there are different times to trim
shrubs, depending on the flowering time, and growth
time.

First perhaps we should define exactly what
‘pruning,’ or ‘trimming’ means, or entails.
Pruning is about working with a plant’s natural
growth pattern as it is developing, as well as for
maintenance for a mature specimen. Pruning is also
what is being done when you shape a tree, hedge, or
bush to grow into a certain desirable shape. Pruning Photo Submitted
will produce more vigorous growth and add to the
lifelong health of the plant.

Although there are exceptions to every rule, the
most common times to prune would be late spring/
early summer, or during dormant season which is late
winter before the growing season begins.
crepe myrtles, and cottoneasters. You can even cut growth on cut branches, so be careful not to cut entire
With regard to the spring, or early blooming shrubs, summer bloomers all the way to the ground in late branches off.
these should be pruned after they bloom. Examples of
winter, and they will still bloom that same summer.
this would be forsythia, lilac, purpleleaf sandcherry, Most deciduous shrubs should not be formed into
rhododendron, azalea, weigela, ninebark. These are Dormant months are also a good time for pruning formal hedges. It destroys their natural shape, reduces
best pruned shortly after they bloom before they because there is little else to be done in terms of the number of leaves and flowers, and causes a
begin to form next years flower buds. Dormant season your lawn and landscaping. Once the winter breaks proliferation of small shoots at the branch tips which
pruning would most likely eliminate their buds and and spring is in the air, there will be no shortage of will look unsightly. A few examples of hedge-type
diminish their spring show. The plant’s energy returns outdoor chores, so it makes sense to take care of shrubs that could be successfully shaped would be
after the hard work of producing buds and blooms pruning before things get too hectic. privet, alpine currant, and barberry.
is past, and they can put that energy into healing Neglected, overgrown shrubs often require
themselves. extensive pruning to rejuvenate or renew the plants. With regards to pruning or shearing formal hedges,
wait until new growth starts. When creating a desired
Dormant pruning is pruning that is usually done The best time to rejuvenate large, overgrown shrubs shape for a hedge, you can use a power hedge trimmer
in the late winter, about six to ten weeks before the is late winter or early spring (March or early April). or shears to create a smooth surface. It is stressful
average last frost in our area. Heavy pruning in late winter or early spring will for plants, and they will need a recovery period, so
reduce or eliminate the flower display on spring-
At this point, when the leaves have all fallen off flowering shrubs for two or three years. However, allow intervals of at least six to eight weeks before
the branches, it is easier to see the branching structure rejuvenation pruning will restore the health of the trimming again.
and determine which to remove or trim. During the
shrubs. Of course, you can prune shrubs at any time of
dormant season, a plant is better able to provide year if it’s necessary—for example, to remove broken
resources to heal itself, i.e., the open cuts that are Evergreens are not all alike. For example, shrubs
made from trimming. Also, there is less chance of pest such as boxwood, yew, and juniper may be pruned branches or dead or diseased wood, or to remove
or disease infestation during the cold weather. When in the very early spring before their new growth growth that is obstructing a walkway.
dead or damaged branches are removed, the plant is starts, or, in midsummer when the growth slows in If you are in doubt about heavy or extensive pruning,
then able to direct energy into its healthy sections. the hot weather. Pines can really only be controlled it is always best to seek the opinion of a professional.
in the spring when new growth appears as “candles”
Examples of summer bloomers would be barberries, The hard work never stops, but your shrubs will
at the ends of branches. You can pinch back one-half
hydrangeas, mallow, potentilla, smoke bush, spirea, thank you for the extra attention. Happy plotting!
to one-third of each candle. Pines cannot form new