In order for ornamental shrubs to bloom prolifically and grow bushy for many years, regular pruning is necessary. The growth of the trees plays a major role here. Once you understand this, you can apply the rules again and again.
When and how should you prune ornamental trees?
When cutting ornamental trees, it is important to choose the right time and type of cut: early-flowering ornamental shrubs need a rejuvenation cut between February and March or after flowering, while summer-flowering trees should receive a rejuvenating cut in March.
Early flowering ornamental shrubs
These plants develop flower buds in the fall of the previous year, which influences the time of cutting. The procedure is limited to the rejuvenation cut, in which the crown area is thinned out. This ensures that the fresh shoots receive more light. This increases vitality, flower development and resilience.
Frequency
Pruning procedures should be carried out annually or every two years on a small scale. If you remove a maximum of two shoots for each measure, you reduce the amount of work and the removal of branches is no longer noticeable. Nevertheless, you ensure that the tree grows he althily and remains stable.
Time
Cuttings are possible shortly before the leaves emerge between February and March or directly after the flowering period. Early pruning is a convenient alternative that allows you to trim all of the shrubs and trees in the garden. From a bird protection perspective, this time is recommended because the birds only start breeding later. However, there is a risk that you will remove numerous branches with flower heads. You can enjoy the full bloom by pruning later in the summer, as no buds are lost.
Procedure
Remove old, weak and damaged branches at the base or just above the ground. Such specimens can be derived from younger side branches. In the long term, trimming shoots is counterproductive. Shrubs react to such measures with numerous new shoots in the upper area. Here a thicket of leaves forms while the base becomes bare.
Summer flowering trees
These specimens require more severe pruning measures in the form of promotional cuts. They develop their flower buds on this year's shoots. The aim of cutting is to promote fresh shoots that bloom profusely in summer.
Time
For this group of trees, spring pruning in March is recommended, as the bushes then sprout vigorously. At this time you are also creating the flower buds for the upcoming season, so that you do not have to accept any loss in flowering capacity. At the same time you can control the size growth of the trees.
Long-term benefits:
- Early and annual pruning promotes vitality
- Plant constantly develops new shoots in the lower area
- it remains bushy, stable and willing to bloom
Procedure
Cut the plants back to a third to a quarter of their original height. Remove branches that appear diseased, weak or dead. Intensive interventions that leave few buds intact result in stronger shoots. These usually grow longer. On the other hand, careful and small pruning leads to the development of shorter new shoots.
Tip
Prevent shoot stubs. Young shoots are shortened slightly at an angle about five millimeters above a bud. This way you keep the cut as small as possible.
