Property managers, community managers and homeowners always want their landscape to look the best. Unfortunately, when that landscape becomes mature, tired and overgrown, most think their only option is to rip everything out and start over. In most cases, a dormant pruning service can help revitalize existing plant material at a much lower cost than re-landscaping.

Dormant Pruning Basics

Dormant pruning is a more aggressive approach to the standard maintenance pruning. While maintenance pruning is definitely a requirement for any landscape to maintain the size of plants during the growing season, dormant pruning allows for more aggressive cuts to reduce plants by over 30% of their overall size with minimal stress.

Not only will dormant pruning reduce the size of mature, overgrown plants, it will also improve the overall health and appearance. With proper technique, removing dead and crossing branches of deciduous woody shrubs and ornamental trees help shape an aesthetically pleasing canopy. It will also promote healthy interior growth and increased flower production in the spring.

Plants That Respond Best to Dormant Pruning

Woody shrubs such as Spirea, Burning Bush, Privet, Forsythia, Lilac and Viburnum all respond very well to dormant pruning. Ornamental trees such as Crape Myrtles, Cherries and Crabapples also fair well with this aggressive approach.

What About Evergreens?

Evergreens are plants that hold on to their leaves year-round and do not defoliate. Broadleaf evergreens are great candidates for dormant pruning, but the way it is performed is a little different. Instead of the goal being to reduce the overall size of the plant, it focuses on creating holes in the canopy to allow airflow and light in the interior of the plant. This prevents the plant from becoming too dense and also helps prevent insect and disease activity.

Timing

Plant dormancy will start in late November and last through early March. This natural hibernation period allows for a significant window to perform dormant pruning services to improve the appearance and health of the landscape… while saving your budget!