3 Simple Methods for Pruning Evergreen Trees

The Parke Company landscaper pruning an evergreen tree

Pruning evergreens can be an intimidating task for newbies. We perform these tasks every day at The Parke Company, but we understand that pruning can be baffling to nonprofessionals. After all, you don’t want to damage your beloved evergreens, or cut too much away and have them looking awkward.

The Parke Company would be happy to take this task off your plate. Our rates are affordable and our work is professional. However, if you want to handle routine pruning on your own, here are some ways to successfully prune the evergreen trees and shrubs in your yard and garden.

Best Pruning Methods for Evergreen Trees

Formal Shapes for Junipers and Arborvitaes.

Scaly bristled evergreens like Junipers and Arborvitaes are great candidates for formal, classic shapes. Oftentimes, these are the cone-shaped, “Christmas Tree” silhouettes that are so familiar to us all. Other shapes are possible, too. All you have to do is start when the tree is young, trimming away the tips of branches until you achieve the shape you want. Because you trim the tips away, the small branches will grow wider instead of longer, making your tree much fuller and healthier looking.

New Growth in Larger Cypresses and Other Evergreens.

In Leyland Cypress trees, for example, branches grow from near the tip. These branches “want” to dominate the growth energy of the tree, so they send hormones back through the branch toward the trunk, as a signal to stop other growth. The tip then keeps happily growing, even though it gives the tree an unbalanced “leggy” appearance. Again, it’s important to remove these new growth areas. This will favor new growth to come from nearer the trunk, making the tree healthier and fuller in appearance.

Natural Shaping for Japanese Yews and Other Evergreen Shrubs.

The Japanese Yew is a popular evergreen shrub that lasts a long time and provides a natural appearance, while taking up variable amounts of space in the garden or landscape. When pruning, it’s tempting to try to replicate globes or other “formal” shapes you’ve seen on TV. But this isn’t good for a plant like this, nor does this shape resemble the way the plant would grow on its own in nature. It’s better to, again, cut the tips of the longest growth, bringing the shape towards something more manageable, without making the plant look like Edward Scissorhands had a go at it. By eliminating long and aggressive growth, you’ll even extend the life of the shrub. Light will now be able to penetrate the outer topiary, which will allow greenery to live nearer the plant’s core.
At The Parke Company, we like to extend the life and usefulness of trees, prolonging their days before they are reduced to stumps and firewood. Most people who have trees like the ones described are a little unsure about what pruning is supposed to look like or accomplish. But pruning is pretty simple. With minimal work, you can improve your evergreen trees’ appearance, health and longevity. The Parke Company can do it for you, but we’re also happy to help you do it yourself.