How to Prune an Elderberry

Elderberry branches and fruit were prized by the Native Americans for use in folk medicine, basketry, musical instruments and dyes. Purple or blue elderberries can be picked and used for jams, sorbet, pies, wines and cordials. The tiny blue berries have a delicate flavor and provide a high dose of vitamin C, potassium and phosphorous. Elderberry shrubs can be grown throughout most of North America. The shrubs should be pruned annually in late winter, after frost danger has passed for your area.

Lopping shears

Garden gloves

Disinfectant spray

Check your elderberry canes for signs of damaged, diseased or dead canes. Diseased and dead canes need to be removed for the health of the overall shrub.

Cut away dead, diseased or damaged canes at their base. Remove all infected canes to a garbage bin far from the site. Disinfect your pruning equipment after handling diseased canes and change out garden gloves for fresh gloves to avoid spreading disease.

Trim away broken or weak canes. If you have old or neglected elderberry shrubs, prune the canes back by half to encourage new growth. Don't worry about losing berries, since elderberries do not fruit on old wood.

Identify older canes that do not produce many berries. Most elderberries grow on canes that are one to three years old. You'll be able to tell which canes are productive by noting which ones have buds.

Trim away canes that run up against other canes, since the pressure will cause damage. Thin out the space between canes so that air can circulate between them. This helps cut back on disease and aids in fruit ripening.

Elderberries rarely self-pollinate. It's best to have two varieties planted near one another if you hope to harvest berries.