Ask Extension for answers to commonly asked questions.

Pruning Evergreens

Source: NDSU Extension Service Horticulturist

For pruning, evergreens fall into three groups which are based on the time the pruning should be done and the method of doing the pruning.

Group I--Juniper and arborvitae may be pruned at any time, preferably from April to mid-August. You can trim anywhere as long as you do not cut beyond the living foliage portion of the branches. It is best to confine your work to the younger wood. Use hedge shears on compact, "definitely formed" trees. Hand shears or a knife can be used on other forms such as low growing, globe, or prostrate types.

Group II--Pine are pruned only in late spring when the buds have made most of their elongation and the needles are beginning to grow in length. Pinch back the "candles," new shoots about halfway on pine. This will keep a dwarf mugho pine in good form. Similarly, Ponderosa pine can be grown as a more dense symmetrical tree by pinching back the new growth while the tree is young. Pruning back of the pine buds can be done by cutting with pruners, or simply by breaking off the bud end with the fingers.

Group III--Spruce, a large, tall growing tree, is often planted in confined spaces. To keep them in bounds, pruning every year or at 2-year intervals is needed. The preferred method of pruning consists of cutting back on 1 year old shoots (last year's branches) making the cut to one of the lateral (side) buds. If older wood is to be removed, cut back to another shoot or branch.

For future reference, you may want to obtain a copy of Extension bulletin H-1063, "Pruning Trees," which is available at your county office of the NDSU Extension Service.

Back to Trees and Shrubs Menu
Go to Ask Extension Index Page
For More Information Contact your North Dakota County Extension Office of the NDSU Extension Service for additional information or see our main NDSU Web Page for publications and articles on Agriculture, Horticulture, Youth and Family, Business and Community and Food and Nutrition at  http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/