Your shrubs look overgrown, so you think, “Why not give them a haircut?” You head outside with your pruning shears, lop off a few branches here and there, and praise yourself for a job well done. But a few months later, your shrub looks more gnarly than ever.

If you care about your shrub’s aesthetics, it’s smart to know the most common shrub pruning mistakes before you prune a single branch. Learn the top mistakes to avoid below, then give us a call for tree services in Tyson, VA.

Taking a Little Too Much Off the Top

It’s tempting to give your shrub a whole new look by chopping off a bunch of branches all in one go. Much like a dramatic haircut gone wrong, though, this is one big shrub pruning mistake that you’ll sorely regret.

Over-pruning could shock your shrub, which may cause its growth to slow or stop completely. In severe cases, the shrub may even die. And if your shrub is a flowering variety, you might not see blossoms for another year or more.

Instead of finishing a big pruning job in one sitting, experts recommend trimming your shrub in stages to gradually reduce its size over the course of a few years.

Pruning Too Often or at the Wrong Time of Year

Shrubs do need regular pruning, but “regular” doesn’t mean trimming your shrub once a week. By excessively pruning your shrub, it won’t have the chance to produce new growth.

Timing errors and ignoring growth patterns contribute to the death of many poor shrubs, too. Pruning in the spring removes new buds, which means your shrub won’t flower that year. And if you prune in the fall, the shrub will respond by sending out new growth. When winter hits, that tender new growth will die, and your shrub’s growth will become stunted for the following year.

Professionals suggest pruning in winter after your shrub has gone dormant and finished blossoming for the year. Avoid pruning when there’s a drought or your shrub is otherwise stressed.

Lopping Off Branches Without a Plan

Not having a plan is one of the biggest shrub pruning mistakes a DIYer can make. Every cut you make must have a purpose. If you’re not sure why you’re cutting that branch, just don’t do it.

Start your pruning job off by removing any dead, diseased, or damaged growth. To avoid making improper cuts, trim all branches at a 45-degree angle. Cutting at any other angle can harm the shrub and invite rot. You should also avoid cutting too close to the base of the shrub, as excessively removing growth can kill the plant.

Neglecting Tools or Using the the Wrong Equipment

Just like any DIY project, the quality and condition of your tools determine how easily the job will go. Dull, rusty, or dirty tools rip and tear branches instead of cutting them smoothly, and injured branches are magnets for pests. Using clean, sharp shears, on the other hand, allows pruned branches to heal properly.

Be sure to sharpen and sanitize your pruning tools between each use. To sanitize, you can use diluted white vinegar or bleach. Dry your tools thoroughly before you start pruning.

Let Our Experts Transform Your Shrubs Into Works of Art

If you’re nervous about making any of these shrub pruning mistakes, why not let our professional arborists do the job for you? We know the best time to start yard cleanup and how to prune your cherished shrubs to perfection.

To schedule shrub or tree pruning, call Dos Amigos Tree Experts at (703) 300-6103.