Winter Pruning

Viburnum along a foundation

 Winter pruning is a great way to get a head start on size reduction of foundation plantings as well as getting plants to generate new growth. With a lack of snow, grounds chores can consist of thinning ornamental and foundation plantings. Much of the plants will get annual trimming and shearing in the summer months. Yet many landscapers and home owners will miss a couple of routine steps in the pruning area of ornamental trees and shrubs.

Some of the most common problems with foundation plantings are they get to big for the location. And with out proper thinning and crown cuts, the shrubbery will tend to get just top growth. Removing older canes and making knuckle cuts from the top of the plant will allow for greater circulation of air and light. You will also be able to count on regenerative growth from the bottom half of the shrub.

Reducing the size of any plant whether  it is planted along a foundation or out on its own can be achieved by proper pruning through basic fundamentals used by groundskeepers. While many times we will see the barbershop effect used by less experienced personnel, meaning the person most likely chopped off the plant at the height they wished it would be. And in this case the plant most likely will have grown even more knuckles on the top reducing the proper amounts of air and light the specimen will need to maintain a proper growth habit. So a good rule of thumb is, when pruning for size reduction, remove one or two older canes right to the bottom of the plant and make clean up or knuckle cuts to the top of the crown. Also never remove more then one third of the plant where possible.

Knuckle Cuts

 Shearing and other routine pruning that occurs in the summer will also require inspection for further pruning to induce growth in the lower half of the plant. Also reducing the knuckle on the top of the plant will reduce wear on the shears and make combing out the plant much easier. Here in this photo just three or four knuckle cuts can clean up the top of the plant and reduce the size.

Removing Older Canes

Rule of Thumb,never remove more than one third

  





This specimen will only require one or two cuts to remove older canes, doing this procedure once a year or every other year will help achieve the height that you would like for any planting.









Most home owners will not take enough of the plant out. Many have expressed that they are afraid to make such significant cuts. Just keep in mind that where ever you make a cut there will be new growth and never remove more than one third of the plant. Even if you make a mistake, new growth should appear with most plants.

Cleaned Up

 All cleaned up, the correct way a nice little hedge of viburnum should look after winter pruning. when we visit this grouping in the summer we will still make knuckle cuts besides the routine shearing.


Man's best friend is also a great tool. As with the old traditions of working dogs for herds, many grounds managers, golf course superintendents and park and rec employees will make good use of their dogs to keep pesty birds at bay. Canadian Geese seem to be the worse for most of us but our trusty friend the dog has helped eliminate much of the problem through persistence. While our four legged friend has worked to keep these nasty green terd laying beast off of the fairways and ball diamonds, this giant but loveable creature named Rudy will get his masters beer for him from the fridge and deliver it to him just in time for Super Bowl Sunday.

                                                   Edward Pagliaro C.G.M.

                                                              See Rudy Deliver the Goods

P.S. Where have you gone Mike Giago