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Pruning Trees & Shrubs

Deciduous Trees

BirchJanuary, November December. Avoid pruning in late winter/early spring due to sap flow. Avoid pruning from spring .               through summer due to insect/disease problems. 

CherryJune, July. Avoid pruning after July because flower buds may have set. 

CrabappleMay, June, July. Avoid pruning after July because flower buds may have set.  

Crape MyrtleJanuary, February, March. Avoid pruning from October-December due to reduced cold hardiness.

DogwoodJune, July. Avoid pruning after July because flower buds may have set.

GinkoPrune anytime.

Hawthorne- June, July. Avoid pruning after July because flower buds may have set. 

Honeylocust- September, October.

KatsuraPrune anytime

LindenAugust, September, October.

MagnoliaMay, June, July. Avoid pruning after July because flower buds may have set.

MapleMay, June, July. Avoid pruning after July because flower buds may have set.

OakNovember, December. Avoid pruning from spring through summer due to insect/disease problems.

PearJune, July. Avoid pruning after July because flower buds may be set. 

PlumJune, July. Avoid pruning after July because flower buds may be set. 

RedbudMay, June, July. Avoid pruning from spring through summer due to insect/disease problems. Avoid pruning after                     July because flower buds may have set. 

ServiceberryMay, June, July. Avoid pruning after July because flower buds may have set. 

SourwoodOctober, November, December. 

StewartiaJanuary, December.

SweetgumPrune anytime.

SycamorePrune anytime.

TuliptreePrune anytime.

WillowDo NOT prune in February, March, April.

ZelkovaPrune anytime.

Evergreen Trees

ArborvitaeJanuary, February, May, June, November, December. Seldom needs pruning. Don't prune into old wood having                        no leaves or needles.

Atlas CedarJanuary, February, November, December. Seldom needs pruning. Don't prune into old wood having                                          no leaves or needles.

Deodar CedarJanuary, 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.

ChamaecyparisJanuary, February, November, December. Seldom needs pruning. Don't prune into old wood                                                      having no leaves or needles.

FirJanuary, February, November, December. Seldom needs pruning. Don't prune into old wood having no leaves or needles.

HemlockApril, 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.

HollyJanuary, February, November, December. To avoid reducing berry production, don't prune during bloom period.

JuniperJanuary, February, November, December. Seldom needs pruning. Don't prune into old wood having no leaves or needles.

Leyland CypressJanuary, February, July, November, December. Seldom needs pruning. Don't prune into old wood having no                                          leaves or needles. Prune to remove cankers.

Southern MagnoliaJanuary, February, November, December. Seldom needs pruning. Flower buds set on previous season wood;                                        winter pruning will reduce flowering.

PineApril, 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.

SpruceMay, June. Seldom needs pruning. Prune during growing season to make more compact or dense. 

Shrubs

#'s see reference at end

AbeliaJanuary, February, November, December (1,4)

AucubaJune, July (2)

Azalea(deciduous)May, June, July (2)

Azalea(evergreen)May, June, July (2,7)

BarberryMay, June, July (2,4)

BeautyberryJanuary, February, March, November, December

BoxwoodJanuary-July, November, December (5)

Scotch BroomJune, July (2)

Butterfly BushJanuary, February, March, November, December (1)

ChastetreeJanuary, February, March (1)

Cherry LaurelJanuary-July, November, December (1)

SummersweetJanuary, February, March, November, December (1)

CotoneasterJanuary, 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. 

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