Pruning Your Shrubs, What You Need To Know!

Regular pruning is the key to sensational shrubs. That’s right; you have the tools to make a significant impact on the health and vitality of the bushes that add so much beauty to your yard. When it comes to pruning shrubs, here’s what you need to know before you get to work with a pair of pruning shears.

Why is pruning so beneficial to shrubs
Pruning is maintenance for shrubs. Research shows that regularly pruned shrubs are more apt to live long, vibrant lives due to (1) more access to sunlight (2) disease prevention, and (3) insect control.

Most common reasons to prune
Of course, your shrubs will benefit from a well-done trim. There are also a host of non-health reasons to start pruning your shrubs. The University of Minnesota Extension notes that some of the reasons to prune include

• Mold the shape of a shrub into a landscaping plan
• Promote fruit and flower growth
• Maintain safe outdoor spaces

Best time to prune
The prime pruning time in the Buffalo area is in late winter and early spring. It’s generally easier to examine a shrub when it is dormant. According to Buffalo-Niagara Gardening.com, you can safely prune a bush in late winter even if the ground covered with white frozen stuff as warmer days are fast approaching. A nice pruning right before spring gets underway helps your shrubs to blossom and grow.

It’s never wise to do any pruning in the late fall because your shrubs and trees are entering dormancy for the winter months and you don’t want to do anything that might stimulate new growth during this time.

Things to keep in mind while pruning
Pruning isn’t rocket science and, with a little bit of planning, you’re more than capable of pruning your shrubs. Some tips when you’re working on a bush are

• Use a comfortable set of pruning shears.
• Start by pruning all of the dead and diseased branches.
• Work at untangling branches.
• Emphasize thinning out of branches.
• Shape the shrub as desired,
• Be careful not to over prune.

Here is additional advice on how pruning can solve common shrubbery problems.

Lastly, make sure that your shrubs thrive with a regular pruning program. Best of all, pruning isn’t a difficult chore, and you’ll get to spend time enjoying nature in your backyard.

All of us at Buffalo Stump Removal know that you value your trees and shrubs and we’re eager to solve all of your stump removal concerns. Contact us for a no-obligation tree stump consultation.​