Learning Center / Trees, shrubs and beds
When should you prune shrubs and trees?
It depends on when the plant blooms. Spring bloomers get pruned right after they flower; summer bloomers like crape myrtles get pruned in late winter. Dead or damaged wood can come out any time, and heavy pruning in peak summer heat is best avoided.
- By David Obeid, founder
- Reviewed
- 5 min read
The short answer
Why does pruning timing matter?
Because some shrubs bloom on last year's growth and others on this year's. Prune a spring bloomer in winter and you cut off the flower buds it already set. Cut at the wrong time and you can lose a whole season of flowers.
The safe approach is to prune by the plant, not the calendar.
Timing by plant
When should common shrubs be pruned?
General timing for common Northern Virginia shrubs and small trees.
| Plant type | Examples | When to prune |
|---|---|---|
| Spring bloomers (bloom on old wood) | Azalea, forsythia, lilac, many hydrangeas | Right after they finish flowering |
| Summer bloomers (bloom on new wood) | Crape myrtle, butterfly bush, some hydrangeas | Late winter, January to March, while dormant |
| Evergreen shrubs and hedges | Boxwood, holly, privet | Light shaping in late spring and early summer; avoid heavy cuts late in the season |
| Any shrub or tree | Dead, damaged or diseased branches | Any time |
Common mistakes
What pruning mistakes should you avoid?
-
Topping crape myrtles
Cutting every trunk back to the same height, often called crape murder, leaves knobby knuckles and weak, whippy shoots. We never top crape myrtles.
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Heavy pruning in summer heat
It adds stress when the plant can least handle it. In peak summer, the right move is usually to do less.
-
Shearing spring bloomers in winter
It removes the flower buds the plant already set.
-
Taking too much at once
For crape myrtles, about a third of the crown is enough to shape the tree and encourage new growth.
How we handle it
Who should do the pruning?
Pruning is part of our monthly landscape maintenance, timed to each plant and its bloom cycle. Crape myrtle pruning is available on its own from January to March, starting at $189 per tree, for trees up to about 16 feet. Larger trees need a tree service.
Related questions
What people also ask
When is the best time to prune crape myrtles?
During dormancy, from January to March. Crape myrtles flower on new growth, and dormant pruning stimulates the new growth that carries next season's flowers.
Can I prune dead branches any time?
Yes. Dead, damaged or diseased wood can be removed any time of year.
Do you top crape myrtles?
No. We prune for shape and health and never top them.
Keep reading
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