Tree and shrub pruning tips

Put That Saw Down! (please)

As spring approaches we find ourselves roaming about the yard and thinking about what we can be doing in the yard, gardens and lawn. Well when it comes to shrubs and trees, according to all the experts, the answer is “don’t do anything!”.

As a Forestry major,  I like to get a little technical, so here goes. Each tree and shrub has what is called a “habit”. A habit is the overall shape of a mature specimen of the tree, shrub or plant. A pine tree has a different shape from an oak for example. This natural shape is typically the most beautiful form of the tree. Most trees and shrubs, if left undisturbed, need little intervention from the property owner unless it shows obvious signs of disease.

However, we all see yard waste every week in almost everyone’s home in Florida So why do we see all those branches for pickup if the experts say don’t prune (much)? There are many valid reasons for pruning including removing dead limbs or branches, removing suckers (new small branches near base of trunk) or pruning dense interior branches. Other valid reasons to prune are for safety reasons e.g. low branches over sidewalks or home maintenance such as branches near or over your home.

In your neighborhood and all around the South, the most egregious unnecessary pruning is being done to Crepe (crape) Myrtles. As you drive through the neighborhood and golf course you’ll see the topped Myrtle shrubs. Maybe the decision to top has something to do with misunderstanding the plant. Is it a tree or shrub? Well it can be both, it depends on the species/cultivar. How large should it get? That also depends on the species. Some grow to 6 feet and some to 36. 

Many of these lovely blooming plants originally from China were put in place 15 years ago when many neighborhoods were developed. Now their large size and poor placement put many homeowners in a bind. What to do with that unruly thing? Sometimes the placement may be so poor and ill planned that the Crape just needs to be completely removed. However the Crape should never be “murdered” that is, topping it to a predetermined height. If healthy, experts say Crape Mrytles need little pruning. Spent blooms don’t even need to be removed during the summer. And if you must prune, never prune in the Fall or Winter as this reduces the hardiness of the plant. Pruning should only remove suckers (from base and interior), interior branching that is crossing or rubbing and optionally spent blooms. There are plenty of “how to” articles from high quality garden websites including state extension service websites on how to properly prune Crape Myrtles. Just google “crape myrtle pruning”.

Too late! This may be your response if “crape murder” has already hit your plant. There are rehabilitation options. I’m rehabbing my formerly topped Crape Myrtle by pruning back the multiple stems per branch to a single stem and then removing the “knuckles” that have formed from the repeated toppings over the years. I received this advice from local certified arborist, Charles Florida (who is from Michigan, go figure). It may take a number of years for the plant to recover but it will be worth the wait when the plant returns to its natural habit and blooms beautifully. If a very large Crape has been topped it may never make it back. Removal then becomes the best option.

How about other types of shrubs and trees such as the Live Oaks? Again, be conservative when it comes to pruning. You can never put that branch back on! The habit of the Live Oak branching is to grow down then back up. If you’ve seen mature Live Oaks branches typically head for the ground then go vertical. Clearly this species wasn’t a great choice for above sidewalks and in smaller yards. Pruning will be necessary for safety and space reasons. For larger trees I strongly suggest consulting a certified arborist prior to any significant pruning not only for making the right cuts but for homeowner safety reasons as the trees are dense and very heavy.

So while there are valid reasons for pruning, don’t go running for the chain saw! Consult a certified arborist or a authoritative website on the web such as Florida Extension or Texas Extension. Your lawn guy may think he knows how to prune but some of the worst “prunes” I’ve ever seen have been down by overzealous and overconfident lawn guys. They can cut the grass, but a trained arborist is your best bet for pruning the tree or shrub properly. There are over 50 certified arborists available in your area, you can search at this website. (http://www.isa-arbor.com/faca/findArborist.aspx).