Regular careful pruning is essential for garden tree/shrub vitality and growth. Fruit bearing trees for example, require formative pruning; that is, they are shaped from a young age to avoid natural growth habit. An unpruned fruit tree can lead to an overcrowded crown, which produces lower fruit quality and yield. We provide some guidelines below of tree and shrub maintenance throughout the year below, this list is not exhaustive and is meant as a guide only.
In early winter, it is important to begin formative pruning of young fruit trees. Coppicing and pollarding should be done early to late winter depending on the tree. It is best to avoid winter storm damage through deadwooding and reduction where necessary.
With the new growth year, it is important to clear out storm damaged wood and hung up branches. Early spring is the last chance coppice and pollard, and is a good time to prune late-summer flowering trees, and shrubs that flower on new wood. In mid-spring winter flowering shrubs should also be pruned.
This is the best time to prune spring-flowering ornamental trees. Pleached trees should be tied in and cut back. Hedges should be trimmed, and shrubs that flower on old wood. This is also the time to prune trained apples and pear trees.
As the year draws to a close, it is essential for formative pruning on ornamental trees; it is also the last chance to cut back on hedges before the first frost. This is also when you should start winter pruning of trees.
This is a simple guideline to consider when to prune and tend to trees and shrubs in your garden and will be continually updated with further information.
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