Pruning Tips for Healthier Shrubs and Bushes
Share This Article Opens in new tab
Follow Us on Twitter
Like Us on Facebook
Share On LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest
April 23, 2019
Gallery
patio and stairs from the back of the house in ann arbor
retaining wall on a property in ann arbor
terraced wall at night with lights in ann arbor michigan
terraced steps with pavers and stone in ann arbor
Quaint Dining Patio
Paver Patio and Retaining Wall
Patio With Fire Pit Area
Curved pathway off paver driveway
Paver Patio and Outdoor Kitchen
Boulder Wall and Paver Steps
beautiful sunset with freshly mowed lawn in foreground
Request an Estimate
“We recommend Twin Oaks to any entity looking for a full-service, talented, and responsive provider.”
Therese Mahoney
Secretary/Treasurer of Doral Creek Condominium Association, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Blog
February 8, 2023
Stay One Step Ahead by Planning Your Garden Spaces Now
Winter is the hibernation season. During these short, cold days, it can be hard to look out at your yard and imagine it full of flowers and vegetables, but spring will be here soon. Planning your garden spaces in winter is a great way to get ahead... Read More
February 2, 2023
Your Leaky Basement Could be Caused by Poor Yard Drainage
Water in the basement is never a good thing. Whether you have wet walls, water seeping in through the floor, or worse, a leaky basement is not something you can ignore. While it may be tempting to look for solutions in the basement itself, most... Read More
January 30, 2023
Are You Prepared for Standing Water in Your Lawn This Spring?
We’re sure you are aware that the heavy clay soil in this area can spell big trouble for residential properties. Clay soil creates poor water drainage, and poor water drainage can lead to soggy areas of lawn that are resistant to growing anything,... Read More
January 26, 2023
How a Residential Landscape Maintenance Plan Can Change Your Life
Caring for your lawn and property requires a lot of time and effort. Most homeowners learn quickly that caring for their property can easily encompass their evenings and weekends. If you have a busy lifestyle with career, family, and other... Read More
January 24, 2023
Advantages of Hiring a Local Landscape Design Contractor
There is more than meets the eye in a functional, aesthetically pleasing landscape design. Highly valued landscape designers have the creative talent and expertise for combining both art and science to create customized landscaping and gardens for... Read More
January 20, 2023
The Professional Difference: Landscape Design Installations
When you partner with a landscape contractor to help you design and install new landscaping around your property, it’s important to understand that there is a lot going on behind the scenes. Landscape Design Installation experts have knowledge and... Read More
January 18, 2023
Laetz Project Spotlight
The best backyards are relaxing and beautiful, and these Ann Arbor homeowners were struggling with getting the functionality they wanted from their backyard. Drainage issues were creating soggy, unusable areas and this family wanted to take the... Read More
January 11, 2023
Proper Pruning Creates Beautiful, Healthy Trees, Plants, and Shrubs
Pruning is a complex matter of balancing every plant’s preferences, resources, and good health while keeping your landscape trim and looking fabulous! Your professional landscape company should know every proper pruning technique, as well as... Read More
December 13, 2022
Planning Ahead: Tips for Designing and Preparing Your Spring Garden Now
Most likely, you’ve just put this year’s garden to bed and finished your fall clean up. Now you’re looking at early morning frosts and waiting for the snow to fly. Preparing your spring garden is likely the furthest thing from your mind. But... Read More
December 8, 2022
Take Your Commercial Property to the Next Level with Exterior Accent Lights
Lighting for safety is the bare minimum. If you have a commercial property, it is well worth investing in landscaping, and that means installing landscape lighting that combines safety, security, and aesthetic appeal. Combining different styles of... Read More
Keeping that in mind, the following are a few tips to help you prune your shrubs and bushes properly:
1. Remove Damaged Branches
The first step you should take is to look for any branches that are dead or damaged. Not only do they look bad, but they leave the bush or shrub vulnerable to potential rot and disease. Cut off any damaged branches you find, including dried, diseased, or wilted branches.
2. First-Year Pruning
In the first year that you prune a bush or shrub, make sure you cut the branch tips just beyond the bud. This will help to promote more growth in smaller side branches, which will help to fill out vacant areas.
3. Trimming Canes
If you have any forsythia or hydrangea bushes (which are cane-type bushes), then you’ll want to prune the older canes in order to control their height. Cut them by one-third of their length. New canes shoot up every year as well. Don’t be afraid to prune them if you think the bush needs more light. You can also completely remove older canes if the bushes have gotten too large.
4. Cutting Entire Branches
If your bushes or shrubs are too big or dense, don’t be afraid to cut off entire branches. Doing so will let in more air and sunlight, which can promote its health. Be sure to cut them at the trunk or at a larger branch.
5. Don’t Cut The Branch Tips
It can be tempting to cut the branch tips at the top to help even out their look. However, this stimulates growth on the outermost branches, which will cause the bush or shrub to grow in an uneven shape, making it difficult to control its size. The only time it’s okay to cut the branch tips is if you’re pruning a hedge bush.
6. Don’t Leave Stubs
When cutting or sawing branches, you’ll want to do it right above where the branch connects to the main trunk. Avoid leaving stubs as they are likely to rot and could even become diseased.
7. Trim Your Evergreens Lightly
Evergreen bushes grow from their existing stems, which means that they don’t need as much pruning as other bushes (such as cane-style bushes). A light pruning
once a year to remove dead branches and to control their size is all that’s needed.
These are a few tips to keep in mind when pruning shrubs and bushes on your property. While it’s important to prune your bushes and shrubs to keep them healthy (and to keep them looking healthy), you don’t want to trim them improperly or you could risk damaging them. Make sure you use the right tools, such as hand clippers, saws, shears, and loppers. If you don’t have the right tools or aren’t confident in your ability to properly trim your shrubs and bushes, hire a professional, like Twin Oaks Landscape, to do the pruning for you.