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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