The large amounts of snowfall this winter caused significant damage to shrubs. Many were broken, bent out of form or splayed to the ground.
Correctly pruning damaged shrubs will ensure a healthy, vigorous plant with the desired shape.
Shrubs that have been maintained may have only a few broken branches that are easily pruned. But when the damage is more severe, the way to achieve the best results varies. There are three main types of pruning to help restore shrubs: Corrective, renewal and regenerative.
Before making any pruning cuts, identify the growth habit, rate of growth and vigor of the plant. This information will help determine what type of pruning is most appropriate. If you are uncertain what kind of shrub it is, take a 12-inch or longer sample of it to a local garden center, nursery or your Colorado State University Cooperative Extension office.
Corrective pruning: This is best performed on shrubs that are not severely damaged. All shrubs will tolerate corrective pruning. First, remove broken branches, preferably with a sharp bypass hand pruner. Always cut to a leaf, bud or lateral branch. Do not leave a stub. After the broken branches are removed, shape the plant as desired.
Renewal pruning: This is often done if many of the larger stems are damaged. Remove broken and damaged limbs first. The next step is to remove other large branches to give the plant a more uniform and balanced appearance. Prune large branches back to a healthy lateral limb or remove completely if it will not create a large void. Prune back the ends of the remaining branches to the desired shape.
Shaping the plant to an acceptable form may take some time. Make sure you take a few steps back to look at the plant every now and again. This helps to determine where more pruning is required. To reduce the potential of removing the wrong branch, too many branches, or cutting a branch too far back, make several smaller cuts rather than a couple larger ones.
Regenerative pruning: This involves severely cutting a plant back close to the ground. It can be done only on vigorous plants that will tolerate severe pruning. Plants with extensive growth or that produce suckers – such as lilac, dogwood, honeysuckle and forsythia – can be pruned in this way. Plants that are cut back annually such as potentilla, spirea, roses and willows will also tolerate it.
Robert Brudenell is a registered Consulting Arborist and board-certified Master Arborist. He owns The Natural Way Inc. in Englewood.
