Pruning is an important practice for maintaining and preserving the health of your shrubs and trees. With proper pruning, you can make your landscape healthy, vigorous, and vibrant. Part of proper pruning includes performing the task at exactly the right time; pruning a plant that is not fully prepared for it could cause more harm than good. Below, we have created a pruning guide to teach you exactly when you or your landscape maintenance company should be pruning your plants based on the type of vegetation you have. Spring bloomers, trees with sap, and hedges all have different pruning requirements.

Always prune your plants when they are strong enough to bounce back.

Each type of plant is different from the next. Some are stronger in the cooler weather, while some are at peak strength in the middle of the hot, summer months. Because pruning should be done when your plant is strong enough to bounce back from it, the best time to prune varies depending on the type of plants that you have and the season that they thrive in.

When is the right time to prune your varying plant types?

As mentioned above, the best time to prune depends on the type of plant that you have. The general rule for pruning is to do it during the late part of your plant's dormant season. Typically, in the central Indiana area, this would be in late winter to early spring months. However, to avoid causing more harm than good, it is best to be sure that you are pruning at the correct time based on the specific type of plant that you have.

Below, we have outlined 3 common categories of plants and the best time to prune them. By following these general rules, you will be able to keep your plants in optimum health and enjoy a lush, vibrant landscape.

• Spring Bloomers - Spring blooms like forsythia, magnolia, and crab apples bloom in early spring. The best time to prune spring blooms is after flowering. This gives enough time for the blooms to grow new flower buds for the upcoming season. If you prune your spring bloomers too early, you will risk removing the flower buds altogether.
• Trees with Sap - Trees like maple, birch, and dogwood should be pruned in the early summer months to avoid heavy sap bleeding (sap flow). Although sap bleeding due to pruning will not harm your tree, it is best to avoid it.
• Hedges - The best time to prune your hedges is in the late winter months. This is when the plants are dormant and haven't produce buds yet. Pruning during these times helps to maintain a dense and well-formed wall of green for your hedge.

Leave it up to the experts! Call us today to schedule your pruning service.

You probably already know how important pruning is to maintain the health and density of your plants. However, knowing the exact time to prune can be tricky, especially if you have many different types of plants on your property. By leaving it up to trained professionals like the ones on our team, you can rest easy knowing that your trees and shrubs are in the best hands. Our company has the expertise, experience, and training to know exactly what is best for your plants.

If your home or business is located in the Noblesville, IN area, including Carmel, Westfield, and Fishers, give our team a call today at (317) 900-7151 to schedule our landscape trimming and pruning service.