Pruning. Wow, that can be a scary word, can’t it?
The most frequent questions on most college or state gardening guides include questions about pruning, how much, where, what kind of trees, shrubs, and bushes.
Some pruning tools may seem a little daunting. Some pruning saws and long-handled clippers can cut a branch or trunk up to two inches wide! Consider the trimmer, with the big blade and tiny blades sticking out from the belt-driven cutting saw; it’s definitely the shark of tools amongst the pruners and clippers.
Imagine going to a garden store and actually purchasing a whole tree to be planted in your yard, where you expect it to grow and thrive. You will have to prune it to remove any dead or broken branches, help it flower or fruit up, and keep it healthy and happy.
Still, pruning can be challenging for people that aren’t used to it. Despite all the instructions about clipping branches down to almost ground level for winter or using motorized tools for shaping a hedge, it’s still a challenge to get that first cut done.
Can I hire someone – an expert?
Yes! You have Adam’s Lawn Service to take care of your lawns, right? Their experts also take care of trees, shrubs, bushes, plants and flowers, and other aspects of the care of your property.
Now that that’s taken care of, let’s have a little bit of fun with this subject.
Have you ever been to a theme park or public garden with amazing topiaries or shrubs and bushes trimmed to resemble characters, animals, and other props? Of course, you may not want that for your home landscape (although the possibilities ARE endless!), but shaped bushes or shrubs would enhance your plantings.
Where do we start?
Are you doing this yourself? If you insist on being a DIYer, let’s start where most big projects start: safety.
Since you will be cutting close to the ground, checking the AustinEnergy website for information about underground power lines is essential. Flagging the line will help keep cutters and other tools away from danger.
Depressions and sinkholes should also be marked. Falling with something sharp in one’s hands doesn’t bear imagining!
Gather protective gear like gloves and masks – and USE THEM! Safety first and foremost, friends.
Make time for this. It’s a very intensive project. And remember to get the tools you need. That might be expensive if you don’t already have the clippers, saws, and other tools.
If you are still feeling confident and determined to do the project on your own, at least listen to the advice of your lawn care partners as you prepare for this adventure!
Or better yet – are you ready to let Adam’s Lawn Service do the same excellent work they do on the rest of your landscaping?
What’s the difference between shrubs and bushes?
Good question! Shrubs are like bushes except for taller and more tree-like. Bushes are like shrubs, except they are lower to the ground and may have several woody stems.
Now that we’ve defined some differences between bushes and shrubs…
What next?
Clearing the deadwood is a good step. You or your landscapers probably do this several times a year. But, unfortunately, the stuff that needs to be removed can be a hazard, as well as a blot on the beauty of your landscape.
Check the trees, shrubs, bushes, and other growths for broken branches, dead spots, and droopy leaves. The limp leaves may be a sign of needing water or a branch that isn’t healthy. You should evaluate both possibilities.
Broken branches can attract pests that could affect your other woody plantings. Cut them out as soon as possible, or ask your landscapers about doing it.
Careful on the ladder – again, SAFETY ALWAYS FIRST!
On to the trimming!
Hooray for you! Most of the preparation work is done, and you feel that you can start doing the actual trimming and shaping of your… umm… hedges!
One might not think cutting or trimming a straight line is a challenge, but even the pros set out a string or other straight line to guide the trimmer. Take care to be safe with the trimmer.
It might be easier, though less challenging, to trim a single bush into shape. Get rid of the dead stuff. Get rid of the branches sticking out too far. See, that wasn’t that bad! What do you mean it’s the wrong time of year for that bush?
What time is it?
Different trees might need care in different seasons as other plants do. Some flower late in the summer, or fruit up in the fall. Some benefit more by having heavy watering just before trimming.
Some plants, like some roses, need to be pruned back almost to the ground just before winter to have excellent spring and summer growth.
Did you check an almanac, or maybe the horticulture website of a local college or university? Did you check with your lawn care team? They probably have all of this information as part of the service they already perform for you.
Your home value
Let’s face it. Keeping an incredible landscape will enhance your home value. Even if you’re not considering selling, it will also enhance your neighborhood.
Plus, you enjoy the beauty of your landscape, especially when you see different parts of it as you go about your daily household chores. You love the scents when the flowers bloom and the bright colors on your table.
Your backyard is a relaxing place, a gathering place of friends and family. The plantings there are typical of the Austin area, with tolerance for both the heat of the summer and the chill of the winter. Your lawn team already takes care of those, and, although you didn’t notice it before, a lot of the shrubs – um, bushes – ahem – plantings are in great shape, trimmed to match the growths around them, and completely healthy. Could you do all this as well, on your own? Probably not.
Relax – this is the easy part, relaxing and admiring your yard and gardens.
Adam’s Lawn Service – we will help you love your lawn!