Apex Landscaping, Inc.

Horticulture pruning is the removal of living wood in order to maintain good plant health and desirable plant shape. Generally, pruning can be done at any time during the year. When done properly, pruning improves flowering plants, helps them stay healthy and beautiful, and makes them less subject to disease and insect problems.

General pruning rules:

Remove damaged, dead or diseased branches by cutting back to the source of the branch or the first living bud.
Remove hazardous or nuisance branches that may cause injury.
Compliment the “natural shape” of the plant.
Remove sprouts (suckers) growing at or near the base of a tree.
Remove branches that grow toward the center of a plant.
Remove cross branches.
Branches that grow at an angle between 30 - 70 degrees are considered safe from wind and ice damage. Others outside this range should be removed without ruining the appearance.
Flowering shrubs must be pruned following their blooming period.
Evergreen trees need to be pruned in the spring. This new growth is easily seen, as it is a different color and texture. The candles will be cut back 1/4 - 1/2 their original length. This forces evergreen trees to retain more of their inner foliage.