A Michigan Gardener’s Top 7 Tips for Tree and Shrub Pruning

Keeping your garden's trees and shrubs well-maintained is crucial for both aesthetic and safety reasons. 

Regular pruning can enhance your garden's appearance, protect your plants from pests and diseases and, in the case of large trees and shrubs, protect your property from damage caused by overhanging or rotten branches. 

In this post, the experts behind our tree and shrub service in Shelby Township, MI, provide their top 7 pruning tips for gardeners keen to do it themselves. 

1. Know When to Prune

Summer-flowering shrubs and trees: Late winter or early spring, before the onset of new growth

Spring-flowering shrubs and trees: Right after they bloom

Evergreen shrubs and trees: Early spring, prior to new growth emergence

2. Know What to Prune

• Dead, dying, or diseased branches
• Branches that cross or rub against each other
• Those growing inward, towards the plant's center
• Crowded branches, to enhance air flow and light penetration
• Overgrown sections, to control the plant's size and shape

3. Know the Best Pruning Technique

• Always cut at a 45-degree angle, right above a bud
• Use sharp tools like pruning shears or loppers for clean cuts
• Avoid leaving stubs, as they are disease-prone
• For large branches, adopt the three-cut method for safety and precision

4. Maintain Your Tools

Disinfecting pruning tools before and after use is crucial to prevent the transmission of diseases between plants. Pathogens can easily cling to blades and be transferred to healthy plants, causing infection. This simple preventative measure maintains a disease-free garden.

5. Plan Ahead 

Visualize your plant's desired shape before you start pruning. This will help you work towards a specific aesthetic rather than pruning haphazardly. It allows for strategic planning to foster a balance between the plant's natural growth patterns and your landscape design aspirations. By envisioning the end result, you're less likely to over-prune, which can stress the plant and lead to growth issues. 

6. Understand Your Plants’ Needs 

Be aware of the specific needs of your plants before you prune. For example, some shrubs flower on old wood, like lilacs and rhododendrons, while others flower on new wood, such as roses and hydrangeas. Knowing this can influence your pruning strategy.

Get Help With Tree and Shrub Care in Shelby Township

Many of us begin each new gardening season with a renewed promise to give our plants more time and attention, but the fact is, between work and family, most of us don’t have the time. The result? Overgrown plants and a dark, airless garden.

If that sounds familiar, you may benefit from hiring a specialized tree and shrub service. The best shrub pruning services in Shelby Township will offer comprehensive care for your garden, and be willing to advise you on which plants need a little extra care. Local expertise and an understanding of the Michigan climate is crucial.

While it's empowering to know the basics of tree and shrub care, there's no substitute for professional guidance, especially when dealing with tree health assessments for trees with pests, tree and shrub care for diseased trees, or – if necessary – tree removal.

Hire the Best Tree and Shrub Service in Shelby Township