Chesterfield: (636) 220-9991
A few minutes spent pruning is one of the best things that you can do to maintain your yard, but it is a task that homeowners often neglect. Many homeowners find it challenging to know how much or little they should cut off branches and shrubs.
There is an art to pruning, and as lawn care professionals, we understand the importance of pruning the right amount at the right time for healthy shrubs and trees. That’s why our lawn care professionals specialize in pruning services that are sure to result in a healthy, attractive yard.
Here in Missouri, our plants, trees, and gardens can be exposed to insects and disease. Dead stems further attract such insects and make a prime breeding ground for disease.
To combat disease and insects, the first step in pruning should be the removal of broken, dead, or diseased branches that are visible. It is important that stems and branches be cut back to the next healthy branching point.
The removal of crossing branches, water sprouts (upright growing shoots that develop on side branches or trunks), and suckers (shoots that form near or below the ground) is also crucial for disease prevention.
Remove any branches that hang low and interfere with mowing, or generally enjoying activities in your yard! Branches that cross close to each other or rub together should also be removed. Rather than removing both branches, just clip off the one least consistent with the overall form of the tree. A good rule of thumb is to cut down any limbs that conflict with the trees general form.
Branches typically grow up and out from the center of the tree. If you see a branch growing straight up through the tree’s center, or growing horizontally through it, then remove it. Pay specific attention to trees that have a distinctive central trunk, such as firs, spruce, and other conifers. If you see competing shoots on these trees, remove them to prevent weak forks later on.
At Midwest Lawn Co, we will help you assess your pruning needs, including determining how to liven up tired, summer-blooming trees and shrubs. Butterfly bush, crape myrtle, potentilla, and other plants that bloom in the summer will bear flowers on new growth from the current season.
For healthy summer-blooming trees and shrubs, plan ahead to have them pruned while they’re dormant over the winter, or prior to them pushing out their new growth in early spring. You can have your deciduous fruit trees pruned at the same time (preferably in winter) to open up the tree, promoting maximum light exposure for a better fruit crop. To prevent pruning wounds during the growing season, which could expose fruit trees to bacterial disease, consult a pruning expert about dormant pruning, which is vital for apple, crabapple, and pear trees.
Spring-blooming shrubs need slightly different pruning care than other woody plants, as you will want to avoid cutting off blooms-to-be. The best time to prune spring-blooming shrubs and trees is immediately after they finish blooming, typically in the late spring.
Lilac, forsythia, rhododendron, and other plants that bloom in the spring will produce their flowers on wood that formed the previous year. Lilacs will need the most specialized care, requiring weekly shaping, trimming, and cutting back of the spring-flowers. To prune spring-blooming trees and keep spring bloomers flowering, completely remove the older shoots all the way to the ground.
If you think that your spring-blooming shrubs and trees may need to be pruned later in the growing season, consult a pruning specialist at Midwest Lawn Co before removing any growth, as you run the risk of removing essential flower buds in the process. Flower bud removal can reduce the amount of bloom next spring.
Your shrubs will benefit from routine pruning, and some shrubs can even be sheared to form a hedge. During the early part of the growing season, you can maintain a solid wall of green by shearing new growth on shrubs like boxwood and privet.
To ensure that the lower branches are not in the shadow of the upper branches, keep the top narrower than the base. Hedges can be sheared all summer, but shearing should stop about six weeks before the first frost.
Pruning maintenance does take a bit of work, but you can minimize the amount of time you spend pruning by choosing shrubs that only grow as tall and wide as a fence, providing privacy in your yard. If you have an existing hedge that naturally grows taller and thicker, requiring a significant amount of maintenance, then pruning can make a big difference in enhancing the overall look of your property.
Pruning methods will vary based on the type of plant, tree, or shrub you are maintaining. Pine trees have very specific pruning requirements, as they only develop buds at the tip of the branch. It is vital that pines be pruned in the candle stage only, which occurs before the new shoots turn woody and the needles expand completely. Remove no more than a portion of the new growth, pruning as much as half of the expanding candle.
Still unsure about what type of pruning to perform and the best time to do so? At Midwest Lawn Co, our pruning specialists are happy to help you determine the methods of pruning that will work best for your landscape. Our goal is to do what it takes to keep your lawn lush and vibrant all year long!
If you choose to perform the pruning yourself, control the spread of disease whenever possible, and create an environment that shrubs and trees will flourish in by keeping your pruning shears clean. Make it a habit to dip your shears in rubbing alcohol, or a solution made up of one part bleach to nine parts water, while pruning.
Most homeowners prune when it is convenient for them, but that might not be the best time for your plants and trees. Midwest Lawn Co is here for your convenience, saving you valuable time so you can enjoy the benefits of a stunning, healthy lawn without the burden of having to maintain it on your own.
If you’re interested in learning more about the pruning that will be best suited to your particular lawn, contact a Midwest Lawn Co specialist for more information!
There is little benefit to hastily shearing and pruning your yard. If you rush the pruning process, you may end up hacking away at healthy branches and blooms, which can compromise the health of the plant and result in a lopsided, or unnecessarily skinny, shrub or tree.
Of course, you want beautiful shrubs and trees that won’t die after one season, but you might be overwhelmed by the many different methods of pruning required by the various trees and plants in your yard. Pruning is rather labor-intensive, so assess how much time you are truly able to devote to this task, and let our professional landscapers help you with the rest.
Remember that proper pruning methods will vary based on the type of plants and trees that you have on your property. As lawn care professionals, we understand these methods, and we are committed to delivering the highest level of service throughout the pruning process.
Midwest Lawn Co provides the expert pruning services that you are looking for, helping you avoid any critical mistakes that could reduce the amount of bloom next spring. If you are concerned that you have pruned incorrectly or removed too much growth, we at Midwest Lawn Co are here to help resolve any pruning issues.
No matter what type of landscaping work we provide, we are committed to customer service, high quality, and competitive pricing. Our professionally trained and certified staff are just some of the reasons our community trusts us with their residential and commercial pruning needs.
Pruning can seem like an intimidating task, but it doesn’t have to be. Our lawn care professionals will work with you to develop a unique solution, so you can enjoy a yard full of healthier plants, thicker foliage, and more flowers.
Midwest Lawn Co has provided high-quality lawn care service to residents of Chesterfield and surrounding West County suburbs for almost a decade. At Midwest Lawn Co, lawn care and maintenance is our specialty and our experienced landscape professionals can handle all of your lawn care needs, including landscaping, mowing, pruning, and more.
Outdoor spaces are made for enjoying, so make the most of your outdoor living space and share it with family and friends, instead of sweating and suffering in the never-ending cycle of keeping your bushes and branches pruned. Leave that work to us!
Call the Chesterfield lawn care professionals of Midwest Lawn Co today at (636) 220-9991 or contact us online to get more information about our services and receive a free estimate.
