Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
The Best Time to Trim Trees and Shrubs
The Best Time to Trim Trees and Shrubs. While every tree and shrub needs a trim once in a while, gardeners who use their shears at the wrong times may damage their plants. Only a well-timed pruning will enhance the health and appearance of a tree or shrub.
While every tree and shrub needs a trim once in a while, gardeners who use their shears at the wrong times may damage their plants. Only a well-timed pruning will enhance the health and appearance of a tree or shrub.
Timing
Young trees need regular trimming to train them to grow correctly and remove unhealthy branches. Late winter or early spring---from late December to early April---is the best window of time to prune trees and shrubs for appearance.
Significance
Trimming trees and shrubs in late winter encourages them to sprout new growth in spring for healthy, lively blooming. Trimming at other times---such as in the fall---may cause new growth that will remain too weak to survive winter frost.
Exceptions
Plants with diseased limbs may need immediate trimming to prevent the disease from spreading. As long as the weather is dry, this kind of trim is safe any time of year.
