Wintertime Shrub and Tree Pruning Tips

As our trees and shrubs enter their dormancy phase during cold weather, it's time to start thinking about pruning and shaping them for next year's growing season. Pruning is best done in the late winter. Be sure that your pruning tools and saws are sharp and in good working order as this will make your job easier and safer. Disinfect your chain saw between trees or shrubs by pouring Lysol or Clorox on the blade, rinsing, and then spraying with a light oil to prevent spreading diseases from one tree to another.

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Sharpening a chain saw blade is cheaper than buying a new one. There is a file available for sharpening a chainsaw blade that is shaped like a pencil, is easy to use and very effective. When cutting a heavy limb with a chain saw, remember to make an undercut at the bottom of the target limb about one-third through before the final cut from the top to prevent stripping or an uneven cut when the limb falls. Cut at the natural branch collar, where the limb meets the trunk, rather than through the collar and making the cut flush against the trunk. Be sure to use black pruning spray on all oak trees to prevent oak wilt or other diseases. Even during cool weather there are some bugs that will be attracted to the fresh sap. It is generally not necessary to spray pruning paint on other trees or shrubs.

Avoid topping a tree. Topping a tree is cutting the leader in an attempt to make the tree appear fuller with fresh spring growth. The explosion of tender growth in the spring will create lots of weak wood that is susceptible to insect and wind damage.

Don't severely cut or "dehorn" your Crepe Myrtles. The only thing you need to do for a Crepe Myrtle is to trim for shape if needed and to remove the old blooms.

Don't prune shrubs or trees that bloom in the spring until after they bloom or you will cut off the blooming branches. Nandina and evergreens can be pruned by removing the canes and branches low inside the shrub where they either meet the main trunk or where they come out of the ground. If you prune by leveling the top of these types of shrubs you will get lots of woody growth underneath with greenery limited to the top and they will look unnatural.

Other shrubs, such as boxwoods or photinia that can be sheared, should be pruned by keeping in mind that leaves are formed where sunlight reaches. Therefore, keep the width at the bottom of the shrub slightly wider so sunlight can reach the lower branches and create a fuller look.