A Guide to Successful Pruning, Evergreen Tree Pruning Calendar
Authors:
Bonnie Lee Appleton, Extension Nursery Specialist, Virginia Tech; Susan C.
French, Research Specialist, Virginia Tech
Publication Number: 430-461, posted June 1998
Evergreen Tree Pruning Calendar
Legend:
* = Best time to
prune
x = Do not prune except to correct damage, hazards, or structural
defects
- = Timing is not critical
Comments
- Seldom needs pruning - remove multiple leaders, dead and broken
branches
- Don't prune into old wood having no leaves or needles
- Prune during growing season to make more compact or dense
- To avoid reducing berry production, don't prune during bloom period
- Prune to prevent oak wilt infection
- Prune to remove cankers
- Flower buds set on previous season (old) wood; winter pruning will reduce
spring flowering
Evergreen Tree Pruning Calendar
|
| Jan
| Feb
| Mar
| Apr
| May
| Jun
| Jul
| Aug
| Sep
| Oct
| Nov
| Dec
| Comments |
| Arborvitae
| *
| *
| -
| -
| *
| *
| *
| x
| x
| x
| *
| *
| 1,2 |
| Atlas Cedar
| *
| *
| -
| -
| -
| -
| x
| x
| x
| x
| *
| *
| 1,2 |
| Deodar Cedar
| *
| *
| -
| -
| *
| *
| x
| x
| x
| x
| *
| *
| 1,2,3 |
| Chamaecyparis
| *
| *
| -
| -
| -
| -
| x
| x
| x
| x
| *
| *
| 1,2 |
| Fir
| *
| *
| -
| -
| -
| -
| x
| x
| x
| x
| *
| *
| 1,2 |
| Hemlock
| -
| -
| -
| *
| *
| *
| *
| x
| x
| x
| -
| -
| 1,2,3 |
| Holly (Evergreen)
| *
| *
| -
| x
| x
| x
| -
| x
| x
| x
| *
| *
| 4 |
| Juniper/Red Cedar
| *
| *
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
| x
| x
| x
| *
| *
| 1,2 |
| Leyland Cypress
| *
| *
| -
| -
| -
| -
| *
| x
| x
| x
| *
| *
| 1,2,6 |
| Magnolia, Southern
| *
| *
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| -
| -
| *
| *
| 1,7 |
| Oak, Live
| *
| *
| -
| x
| x
| x
| x
| x
| -
| -
| *
| *
| 1,5 |
| Pine
| -
| -
| -
| *
| *
| *
| x
| x
| x
| -
| -
| -
| 1,2,3 |
| Spruce
| -
| -
| -
| -
| *
| *
| x
| x
| x
| -
| -
| -
| 1,3 |
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