Pruning in August improves plant form just ahead of fall’s growth spurt. Light shaping now will look beautiful after new fall growth arrives in the weeks ahead.
Note: Plants should be well watered in the days ahead of pruning. Those that are experiencing drought stress should not be pruned.
Pairing a deep soak and fertilizing with your pruning will enhance the lush result.
August is an excellent month for pruning many shrubs and trees in the landscape, just ahead of the fall growth spurt. It’s also a perfect time for pruning backyard fruit trees for size control. Removing excess growth now instead of waiting until January will help keep fruit trees smaller.
August pruning is characterized more by shaping and size control than by thinning or substantial structural corrections.
Heading Back
Heading back is a method of shortening existing branches to a more desirable length. By pruning just above a bud, growth can be directed as you wish. Pruning to an outside bud will keep the center of the plant open and free from crossing branches.
Thinning
Thinning is a technique where a whole branch or twig is removed back to a “Y” junction. Light thinning is appropriate for August pruning to remove some of the weight off of droopy branch tips. A combination of thinning and heading back will tighten up a leggy plant and encourage more compact growth.
Pinching
“Pinching” involves cutting away the growth tip and a few leaves on most of the branch tips. It does not change the shape or size of a plant but encourages two stems to sprout where there was only one. The plant will be twice as full after a growth spurt.
Size Control
Size control is as simple as shortening a formal hedge back to its desired size. It is also employed in late summer to keep fruit trees in check. No one but a bird needs a fruit tree to grow higher than you can easily reach. Right now is a perfect time to draw an imaginary line at a reasonable height of 8′ or 9′ and cut every branch that is growing above that line. Pruning for size control is important to do as the tree is young and reaching skyward. If your tree is already well above its target height, save the heavy reconstructive surgery until January and bring in a picture, we can coach you.
Citrus
As fall approaches and cold weather beyond, citrus pruning should be finished by the September 1 to allow time for the leaves to harden off before winter. Prune now to shape or to reduce the size. Also, clean up dead wood and thin lightly to allow light into the center of the tree.
Hydrangeas
Prune only the individual stems that have just finished flowering and let the other stems remain, (they will bloom next year). Prune these individual stems back deep into the shrub to just above a bud, or prune back flowering stalk lightly to a point just above a pair of big, plump buds.
If you are not sure what to prune now, send us an email or a picture with your questions to info@aldenlane.com
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