Should we?

Let’s discuss evergreens. A good time to prune shrub-type evergreens (junipers, yews, and arbovitaes) is near the end of March. Prune evergreen trees, pines and spruce, later in June. The tree types are often not pruned at all, but a better plant is developed if we prune when the plant is young.

If you look around at various plantings in the area, you will find evergreens that have not been maintained and are too big. It is best to plant the right plant for the area in which it will grow. Once the evergreen is growing well, it is a matter of time before pruning becomes necessary. Using your pruning shears, remove the larger branches that are developing so young, fresh growth is kept near the outside edge of the shrub. The time to take action is when the plants are young and then do “selective” pruning annually.

The plants in the picture have been pruned with hedge shears. That is fine, but only when the “body” of the plant is kept in proportion to the location where it is growing. These yews covering the windows can be saved by pruning them back 6”-12” below the window sill. This type of rescue pruning needs to be done just before new growth begins in the spring. Late March or by the middle of April is the best time so the harsh pruning is soon covered up by new growth. The over sized arbovitae at the corner of this home is too large to save and should be replaced with a smaller plant that will not out-grow the area.

The larger growing evergreens, like pines and spruce, can be kept full by pinching the “new candle” growth back by one-third to one-half of the candle when it is developing in the late spring. All of the pines and spruce trees in this area respond well to this treatment, keeping the young plants developing a compact habit so as they mature they are a much fuller plant.

For more information go to http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-457/430-457.html and look at Virginia Techs publication 430-457, Pruning Evergreen Trees.