Spring is fast approaching and the weather outside is slowly warming up. This is the time of the year when a popular question asked is, “Can I prune my (insert name of plant) now?” It’s difficult for one person (me) to memorize all the different plants and to know exactly when the best time to prune them is. This makes me glad that some pruning calendars are available to help answer this specific question.

For shrubs, whether flowering or not, here is a link to a pruning calendar for shrubs from Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) that works well for plants in our area as well.

For deciduous trees, here is a link to a pruning calendar for deciduous trees, also from VCE that will work for our area.

For evergreen trees such as arborvitae, holly, juniper, and leyland cypress, here is a link to a pruning calendar for evergreen trees from VCE.

As with timing, the how to prune can also be different for different types of plants. Some basic rules to follow for the best health of the plant include:

1. Don’t remove any more than 1/3 of the top growth of the plant at any pruning event.
2. When making a cut, remove the portion back to another branch or just above (1/4 inch) a bud that will grow in the direction you want the plant to grow.
3. When removing a branch back to a main trunk or larger branch, make the cut just outside of the branch collar (swollen area at the base of the part to be removed).
4. Dead, damaged or diseases wood can be removed at any time to improve the health of the plant.
5. There is not just one correct way to prune a plant, so don’t be afraid of making it look the way you want it to look.

Pruning can be a scary or daunting task, especially the first time. Most plants, however, are very forgiving and will grow back in time to cover over any mistakes that are made. Follow the pruning calendars and the basic rules and there is little that can go wrong. For those who may want more information on general pruning techniques for trees and shrubs this publication from North Carolina Cooperative Extension has good information on several different pruning techniques including espalier, pollarding, and making topiaries. Each pruning technique has its place in the landscape.