Summer pruning is a great task to add to your to-do list!  Pruning trees and shrubs is often necessary to keep these plants healthy and looking their best.  There are a few times during the year when pruning is effective, but for now we will focus on summer pruning.

Summer pruning is the ideal way to slow and direct the growth of your trees and shrubs.  During summer, these types of plants rely on leaves to absorb sunlight and make nutrients; pruning reduces the overal number of leaves and therefore causes an overall slow down in growth.  This is a particularly effective way to keep decorative shrubs in good shape and looking their best.  Shaggy, overgrown hedges and bushes that receive a summer pruning make all of your landscaping look tidy and well manicured.

There are also good reasons to prune trees in summer.  The weight of the leaves helps identify weak branches.  Branches with dead leaves stand out and are easy to identify for pruning.  This is also a good time to look for defective branches to prune as well.

Keep in mind that pruning can be a dangerous task.  Branches that are higher in the tree or too thick to easily cut should be left to the care of a professional.