Unlike many deciduous trees, most conifers should not be pruned or only pruned a little. Since they are also very vigorous, dwarf or other cultivated forms should be planted in the garden from the outset. Wild forms often grow too large and cannot be kept small by cutting measures.
How do you prune conifers correctly?
When cutting conifers, you should only shorten green shoots and not brown wood, do not cut the central shoot and prune sparingly. The ideal time to prune is from the end of July, for pine trees in May.
The most important information at a glance
Deciduous and coniferous trees differ not only externally, but also in one very specific point: coniferous trees do not have sleeping eyes and therefore do not sprout again if they are cut back too much. Instead, you may only cut back into the green wood, as growth only grows at the tips of the shoots. Severe pruning leads to the creation of unsightly holes that do not close again. However, there is one exception: Yew trees can even be cut back radically and will still sprout again.
The most important tips when cutting conifers:
- Only cut green shoots, not brown wood!
- Cut back just a little at a time.
- This applies not only to trees, but also to bushes and hedges.
- If possible, do not cut the central shoot.
- This means that height growth stops, but a side shoot now grows as a new central shoot.
- This creates an unsightly bend in the tree.
- That's why don't cut tree tops!
The ideal cutting time for most conifers is around the end of July. Only pine trees are cut back in May.
How to prune conifers correctly
Even though most coniferous trees get along just fine without regular pruning, you still have to occasionally use pruning shears (€14.00 on Amazon) for various reasons.
care cut
This applies, for example, to broken, dead, frozen or dried branches, which should be removed to prevent disease. Even very densely packed twigs or branches can thin out, although new shoots usually do not grow - so it's better not to take away too much.
Hedges and topiary
With the exception of yews, the pruning rules listed above also apply to hedges and topiaries. Here too, only the green shoots may be cut, otherwise bare spots will remain. If you haven't trimmed a hedge for a long time, all you can do is adjust to its height and width - because drastic pruning doesn't work. The only alternative is to tear out the hedge and plant a new one.
Tip
Pine trees can be comparatively easily limited in their growth by reducing the candle-shaped new shoots by two thirds about every two years.