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Shrub Pruning: What You Should Know & Why Trimming Is Essential

Resources: Tree Trimming

Flowers on pruned shrubs trimmed

Do you own shrubs? If you do, it’s likely you know that, just like trees, shrubs add liveliness to landscapes and can be used in a variety of ways.

Shrubs may:

  • Be used as decorative borders
  • Be used as a living fence
  • Add personality to homes

To enjoy their benefits long-term, however, it’s important to understand the significance of routine pruning and trimming technique. If done incorrectly, it can be detrimental to their health.

What is Shrub Pruning?

First of all, what is pruning? Pruning (“trimming”) cuts away at dead or unwanted branches of the plant. A form of preventative care, pruning boosts protection against diseases or pests before they attack.

Shrub pruning is important for a variety of reasons.

  1. Pruning supports shrub health. Trimming removes damaged or rubbing branches as well as branch stubs from the shrub. 
  2. Pruning maintains the function of the shrub. Trimming encourages development on the shrub such as flower or fruit growth. 
  3. Pruning improves the general appearance of the shrub. Trimming attains the natural shape, size, and aesthetic of shrubs.
  4. Pruning protects the shrub’s surroundings (such as your family). Trimming removes branches from the shrub that may be blocking the doors to your home.

When is the best time to prune your shrubs? Find out here.

Pruning vs Shearing: Is There a Difference?

It’s easy to think “Pruning and shearing both involve trimming, so they must be the same.” In actuality, however, there are significant differences.

SHEARING

  • Uses manual, powered shears
  • Only removes newer growth while keeping the older, unhealthy plant
  • Provides artificial appearance
  • Stresses shrubs
  • Best for formal landscapes

PRUNING

  • Uses hand pruners
  • Removes current and older growth, including the unhealthy plant  
  • Provides natural appearance
  • Keeps shrubs healthy
  • Best for most landscapes

A notable feature of shrub pruning is that the technique allows for selective thinning. This method of trimming targets growth inside the plant and allows it to maintain appropriate size, shape, and health.

sheared shrubs trimmed
Sheared shrubs on a local property

Can I Trim My Shrubs Myself?

While pruning is important, as with everything, there is a wrong way to go about it. And while it may seem easy, improper trimming technique can in fact be harmful.  

A common issue that results from improper pruning is too much pruning. Overpruned shrubs require more maintenance and monitoring. This may include intensive fertilization or watering practices.

This is because trimming a shrub too much can:

  • Lead to a loss in essential nutrients
  • Increase susceptibility to diseases and pests due to stress
Over pruned shrubs on property trimmed
Overpruned shrubs on a local property

While overpruning won’t kill shrubs, it can severely impact their long-term health. This makes it crucial to avoid trimming shrubs yourself.

Certified Arborists will be able to recognize and provide the balance between physiological needs your shrubs have and the visual appearance you’re after.  

You can meet with one of our Certified Arborists by booking an appointment online.


Shrub owners and enthusiasts: Now that you know more about pruning, stay tuned for next week’s article on shrub growth regulators.

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Google Reviews

Grey Burkhart
Grey Burkhart
March 29, 2022.
Verified
Very professional review of our requirements and an accurate estimate. Showed up on time and were finished quickly. Cleaned up all of the debris and sawdust. Great job all around.
Dennis Bruns
Dennis Bruns
March 8, 2022.
Verified
We have used RTEC Treecare for several years. They do excellent work. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable and take great care in explaining the various options available for your particular situation. I highly recommend them.
Annette Iannucci
Annette Iannucci
February 23, 2022.
Verified
We have been using RTEC for years and were very pleased with the recent tree maintenance work they did for us. As always, we got good advice from their arborist Ben,. The crew that did the work is highly skilled, and they did a great job trimming our trees. They worked safely and efficiently, in addition to leaving the yard clean after they finished the work.
Susan Crawford
Susan Crawford
January 26, 2022.
Verified
RTEC was at my house today to removed a large Magnolia that was badly damaged by the recent snow. They did a fantastic job at a very reasonable price. They arrived right on time, worked efficiently and quickly and cleaned up so well it was hard to tell anything have been disturbed. Over the past several years, I have used RTEC for all the services I checked above, and have always been very pleased with their service and professionalism. I also appreciate that they are not eager to take down trees that don't need to come down. In this case, the damage was too extensive for the tree to recover.
Kenton Morgan
Kenton Morgan
January 20, 2022.
Verified
Once again, RTEC has done a great job. The team showed up right on time and performed all the work that we agreed to. They kept us informed as to progress, coordinated with us concerning our maple, and made recommendations concerning ongoing support for our trees. At the end of the day, they thoroughly cleaned up the debris and left our yard in pristine condition. WELL DONE.
Jean Kluttz
Jean Kluttz
January 3, 2022.
Verified
Not our first time but this time was tricky removal of a large dead tree leaning on a healthy tree. Quick response for estimate, good timing to removal, all clear and healthy tree still fine.
Jerry Haggin
Jerry Haggin
December 16, 2021.
Verified
Very good work while ensuring that I was aware of status of my work order and planned completion.
Mike Iger
Mike Iger
December 16, 2021.
Verified
David Roberts
David Roberts
December 15, 2021.
Verified
We’ve used RTEC for many years for tree maintenance and can’t say enough good things about their service. We use them for tree trimming and for regular treatments to maintain our trees’ health and deal with pests and prevent disease. Their arborist Ben has been especially helpful with advice. RTEC also been especially helpful in emergency situations, once coming to cable a massive, heritage oak in our yard right before a hurricane was about to hit. Highly recommend.
Travis Larson
Travis Larson
December 10, 2021.
Verified
RTEC did an excellent job onsite of removing dead branches from our 80+ year old trees, and trimming other growth too close to our home.
Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 185 reviews.

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