I find figuring out when to prune what trees and shrubs can get very confusing. Apparently, it not always best just to pick up the loppers and start whacking away when the mood strikes. We have a big, old growth lilac that my husband wants to take a chainsaw to. After a little research I have found that large ones like that have to be pruned in stages cutting one-third at a time over a three year period. He’s not happy about that. For now, I think we will start with dead heading after the flowers bloom and keeping the suckers at bay. Since lilacs form their buds for next years flowers in the summer it’s best to prune them up right after they are done flowering.
As you can see, the poor old girl needs a lot of help!
In early spring we also prune our apple, cherry, plum and pear trees. We try to be more selective and careful when pruning our fruit trees, being sure to leave the main branches intact and pruning out damaged and weak looking parts. If you have a peach tree it’s a good idea to cut back about half of the last year’s growth.
I know it’s hard but, it’s important to hold back on pruning your rose bushes until after last frost, usually early to mid April here. Cut back any dead or weak growth and trim canes back being sure to leave four or five eyes. Climbing roses need to be pruned a little differently; cut back hold growth by about half and leave the new shoots to grow for next year.
Rhododendrons are popular here in the Pacific Northwest. After flowering, prune them vigorously cutting back any weak or leggy branches.
I used to not like to prune things. I felt I was wasting part of the plant or not giving it a chance to thrive and just seemed a sad thing to do. I nearly had a heart attack the first time I watched my mother in law pruning some shrubs that were in desperate need of help! She taught me a valuable lesson, those shrubs had never looked better, they were full and lush and actually seemed to be happy if you can imagine that. Now (thank you Mary!) I have no problem cutting, trimming, pulling or what ever it takes to encourage the new growth to come. My plants are not quite as beautiful as hers, but they are getting there…some day!
Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ~ John 15:2 (ESV)
