Shrub Pruning
DONOVAN ARBORISTS
We offer free estimates for tree planting, pruning, removal, cabling and bracing. We also specialize in trimming, transplanting and fertilizing shrubs and bushes. Contact us now, we are ready to help you.
Shrub Pruning
Shrubs are a beautiful and versatile addition to any landscape. They can be used to create privacy hedges, borders, or focal points. Proper pruning is essential to keeping shrubs healthy and looking their best.
Like trees, shrubs in the Denver area need to be pruned to improve health and appearance. Pruning shrubs periodically keeps them full of foliage and flowers. Donovan Arborists prefers to prune most shrubs by hand. In doing so, any dead and diseased stems are removed and proper pruning cuts are made in shaping the shrub to its natural form.
When to Prune Shrubs
The best time to prune shrubs is in the spring or fall. These are the times of year when shrubs are dormant and will heal quickly from pruning cuts.
How to Prune Shrubs
There are two main types of pruning: formative pruning and maintenance pruning. Formative pruning is done to establish the desired shape of the shrub. Maintenance pruning is done to remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches and to keep the shrub in its desired shape.
Formative Pruning
Formative pruning is usually done when the shrub is young. The goal of formative pruning is to create a strong framework of branches that will support the weight of the shrub’s leaves and flowers.
To do formative pruning, start by removing any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Then, thin out the shrub by removing any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. Finally, shorten the remaining branches by about one-third
Maintenance Pruning
Maintenance pruning is done on established shrubs to remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches and to keep the shrub in its desired shape.
To do maintenance pruning, start by removing any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Then, thin out the shrub by removing any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. Finally, shorten the remaining branches by about one-quarter.