Pruning Trees & Shrubs
Deciduous Trees
Birch- January, November December. Avoid pruning in late winter/early spring due to sap flow. Avoid pruning from spring . through summer due to insect/disease problems.
Cherry- June, July. Avoid pruning after July because flower buds may have set.
Crabapple- May, June, July. Avoid pruning after July because flower buds may have set.
Crape Myrtle- January, February, March. Avoid pruning from October-December due to reduced cold hardiness.
Dogwood- June, July. Avoid pruning after July because flower buds may have set.
Ginko- Prune anytime.
Hawthorne- June, July. Avoid pruning after July because flower buds may have set.
Honeylocust- September, October.
Katsura- Prune anytime
Linden- August, September, October.
Magnolia- May, June, July. Avoid pruning after July because flower buds may have set.
Maple- May, June, July. Avoid pruning after July because flower buds may have set.
Oak- November, December. Avoid pruning from spring through summer due to insect/disease problems.
Pear- June, July. Avoid pruning after July because flower buds may be set.
Plum- June, July. Avoid pruning after July because flower buds may be set.
Redbud- May, June, July. Avoid pruning from spring through summer due to insect/disease problems. Avoid pruning after July because flower buds may have set.
Serviceberry- May, June, July. Avoid pruning after July because flower buds may have set.
Sourwood- October, November, December.
Stewartia- January, December.
Sweetgum- Prune anytime.
Sycamore- Prune anytime.
Tuliptree- Prune anytime.
Willow- Do NOT prune in February, March, April.
Zelkova- Prune anytime.
Evergreen Trees
Arborvitae- January, February, May, June, November, December. Seldom needs pruning. Don't prune into old wood having no leaves or needles.
Atlas Cedar- January, February, November, December. Seldom needs pruning. Don't prune into old wood having no leaves or needles.
Deodar Cedar- January, February, May, June, November, December. Seldom needs pruning. Don't prune into old wood having no leaves or needles. Prune during growing season to make more compact or dense.
Chamaecyparis- January, February, November, December. Seldom needs pruning. Don't prune into old wood having no leaves or needles.
Fir- January, February, November, December. Seldom needs pruning. Don't prune into old wood having no leaves or needles.
Hemlock- April, May, June, July. Seldom needs pruning. Don't prune into old wood having no leaves or needles. Prune during growing season to make more compact or dense.
Holly- January, February, November, December. To avoid reducing berry production, don't prune during bloom period.
Juniper- January, February, November, December. Seldom needs pruning. Don't prune into old wood having no leaves or needles.
Leyland Cypress- January, February, July, November, December. Seldom needs pruning. Don't prune into old wood having no leaves or needles. Prune to remove cankers.
Southern Magnolia- January, February, November, December. Seldom needs pruning. Flower buds set on previous season wood; winter pruning will reduce flowering.
Pine- April, May, June. Seldom needs pruning. Don't prune into old wood having no leaves or needles. Prune during growing season to make more compact or dense.
Spruce- May, June. Seldom needs pruning. Prune during growing season to make more compact or dense.
Shrubs
#'s see reference at end
Abelia- January, February, November, December (1,4)
Aucuba- June, July (2)
Azalea(deciduous)- May, June, July (2)
Azalea(evergreen)- May, June, July (2,7)
Barberry- May, June, July (2,4)
Beautyberry- January, February, March, November, December
Boxwood- January-July, November, December (5)
Scotch Broom- June, July (2)
Butterfly Bush- January, February, March, November, December (1)
Chastetree- January, February, March (1)
Cherry Laurel- January-July, November, December (1)
Summersweet- January, February, March, November, December (1)
Cotoneaster- January, February, November, December (3)
Crape Myrtle- January, February, March (1,8)
Daphne- April-July (2)
Deutzia- June, July (2,4)
Redtwig Dogwood- January, February, March, November, December (1,4)
Euonymus (deciduous)- January, February, March, November, December
Euonymus (evergreen)- January-July, November, December (5)
Forsythia- April, May, June, July (2,4)
Rose of Sharon- January, February, March, November, December (1)
Holly (deciduous)- January, February, December (1)
Holly (evergreen)- June, July (2,5)
Hydrangea (spring blooming)- June, July (2)
Hydrangea (summer blooming)- January, February, March (1)
St. Johnswort- January, February, March (1)
Juniper- January, February, March, November, December (6)
Kerria- June, July (2,4)
Leucothoe- June, July (4)
Lilac- June, July (2,4)
Oregon Grape Holly- May, June, July (2,4)
Mountain Laurel- June, July (2)
Nandina- January, February, March (1,4)
Osmanthus- January, February, June, November, December (1,5)
Andromeda- May, June, July (2)
Potentilla- January, February, March, October, November, December (1,4)
Pyracantha- June, July (2,3)
Rhododendron- June, July (2,)
Rose- February, March, July, August (1,3,4)
Smoke Bush- January, February, November, December (1)
Spirea (spring blooming)- May, June (2)
Spirea (summer blooming)- January, February (1)
Viburnum (deciduous)- May, June, July (2,4)
Viburnum (evergreen)- May, June (2)
Weigela- May, June, July (2,4)
Witchhazel- April, May, June, July (2)
Yew- January, February, March, May, June, July, November, December (5)
Reference:
1- Flowers are produced on new wood.
2- Flowers are produced on old wood, pruning while dormant will reduce flowers.
3- Make pruning cuts well below diseased wood.
4- Remove old stems to the ground yearly to renew.
5- Midseason shear if formal hedge is desired.
6- Do NOT cut into old wood that has no needles or leaves.
7- Spring/Summer prune to remove azalea caterpillars and galls.
8- Fall/early Winter prune can reduce hardiness
9- Snap candles (new growth) in half when needles are 1/2 - 1/3 their normal mature length.