Pruning is important for maintaining the health and beauty of many plants in the garden. However, pruning can be confusing for many gardeners. Keep reading for answers to common pruning questions and some short videos.

VIDEO: General Pruning Tips

This video covers general tips, including when to prune your trees and shrubs in the landscape.

VIDEO: Making the Right Cut

Learn to make good pruning cuts, including selecting the right tool and cutting at the right location on a branch.

VIDEO: Bonus Pruning Tips

This video shares even more advice on pruning, such as how much should I remove and which branches should be removed?

When should I prune my plants?

Winter is a good time for pruning many, but not all, plants in your landscape. In the winter, plants are dormant, which means they aren’t actively growing. Pruning plants that are dormant can reduce stress to that plant. For deciduous trees, pruning them while they are leafless in the winter can make it much easier for gardeners to see the branch structure.

Before you prune, be sure you know what plant you are pruning. Plants that flower early in the spring, such as dogwood and cherry trees, have already formed buds in the fall. If you prune them during the winter, you will cut off flower buds and lose those spring flowers. On the other hand, plants that bloom later in the season, such as crape myrtles, typically form flower buds on new growth in the spring. Winter is an ideal time to prune these plants.

Pruning calendars are useful resources to know when to prune specific plants. Some resources available online are:

• How to Prune Specific Plants, a guide to pruning 75 common landscape plants.
• Deciduous Tree Pruning Calendar, a guide from Virginia Cooperative Extension.
• Shrub Pruning Calendar,  a guide from Virginia Cooperative Extension.
• Evergreen Tree Pruning Calendar, a guide from Virginia Cooperative Extension.
• Guide to Pruning Hydrangeas, from University of Maryland Extension. Keep in mind that gardens in Maryland are probably colder and in a different USDA Hardiness Zone than your NC garden.
• Pruning Roses factsheet from Clemson Extension.

I know when to prune. How should I prune?

Any time you are pruning, do not remove more than ⅓ (one-third) of the existing plant material. If you remove too much of the plant and foliage, the plant will have a difficult time recovering. When you are pruning, start by removing any branches that fall into the three D’s: dead, diseased, or damaged. Dead wood will be dry and dark in color on the inside when you cut it, whereas living plant tissue is lighter in color on the interior. When pruning any diseased plant, be sure to clean your tools before you continue to prune other plants. Clean the blades of your pruners with a 9:1 solution of water:bleach. Be sure the blades are dry before storing your tools to avoid rusting.

When pruning, cut the branch back to just above a node (a point where leaves or other buds are present on the branch). If you are cutting back to the trunk, do not cut flush with the trunk. Instead, remove the branch just outside the swollen area where it emerges from the trunk. This is called the branch collar. Branches pruned to just above the branch collar will heal naturally. Larger branches should be removed using multiple cuts, to avoid stripping the bark from the tree trunk. With very large branches, it is advisable to call a professional for assistance.

There are a few different types of pruning cuts. Heading cuts can be used to decrease plant size. This removes actively growing shoots, and can stimulate growth at the remaining nodes on the plant. Thinning cuts are used to control the shape of the plant. Thinning cuts are important for removing branches that may be growing in undesirable directions. Thinning the canopy of trees and shrubs allows light and air to enter, and can improve growth and reduce pest pressure.

For more details on pruning techniques, see:

• General Pruning Techniques, a guide for landscape plants
• Training and Pruning Fruit Trees, a guide for fruit trees

What tools do I need for pruning?

There are a number of tools used for pruning. Larger tools will be needed for larger branches. Pruning shears are appropriate for limbs up to ½-inch (half inch) in diameter. Loppers can be used for branches up to 1 ½-inches (one and a half inch) in diameter. Pruning saws can be used for even larger limbs. For more details on pruning tools, please read:

• Tools to Make the Cut
• How to Clean and Sharpen Your Pruners, from University of New Hampshire Extension. Be sure to watch the video!

Correct pruning can greatly improve the growth and form of plants in your garden. As always, contact your local Extension office if you need further guidance.

Printable list of resources on pruning trees and shrubs.