Landscape Tips for April - Pruning Time!

Posted by Joseph Barnes on Mar 30, 2012 12:00:00 AM

Pruning is a necessary element in the landscape maintenance process, especially now with spring here.  Pruning is necessary for numerous reasons, which includes alleviating freeze damage, promoting new growth, and eliminating any safety issues such as roadway and sidewalk visibility. 

Pruning to Alleviate Freeze Damage

Pruning April

Spring is here! Now we can now focus on fixing the damage the cold left behind.  For plants that received extensive damage from this winter, it is necessary to prune the burned leaves and stems back to a few inches above the ground.  This is important because photosynthesis is unable to take place on burned leaves.  Soon, green growth will emerge from the pruned stems. 

Pruning to Promote New Growth

Proper pruning also helps promote new growth, and now is the best time to perform such pruning, which is also called spring rejuvenational pruning.  Currently, many plants are in the process of emerging from the dormant stage of winter.  Pruning the plant now will not cause as much stress as pruning the plant when it is actively growing.  If this type of pruning takes place in the summer, then it can cause death since much of the food-making ability and stored water is lost.  Removing such portions of the plant now has less effect on the plant since metabolic functions are greatly reduced. 

Pruning is important for the overall health and aesthetic appearance of the landscape.  It’s also a great activity to welcome spring into your home’s landscape.  So, get out your pruners and spruce up your landscape for abundant blooms and healthy plants this upcoming season.

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Joseph Barnes

About The Author

Joseph Barnes

Joseph Barnes has served as Marketing Manager of Yellowstone Landscape since 2013. He writes on a variety of topics related to the commercial landscaping industry.