Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs 
Rosie Lerner & Kyle Daniel, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Lindsey Purcell, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
A previous version of this publication was written by Michael Dana and Philip Carpenter.
Photo Credits: Figure 2 photo by Mary Welch-Keesey; Figures 8 and 11 provided by Jeff 
Harris, Arbor Rangers.
Correct pruning is essential maintenance for keeping trees and shrubs healthy in 
the home landscape. However, the thought of pruning makes many homeowners 
apprehensive. But this doesn’t have to be. Pruning is not difficult if you 
understand the basics of why, when, and how to prune.
To prune successfully, you must know:
1. Why you should prune — prune for the right reasons
2. When to prune — prune at the right time
3. How to prune — use the right techniques and tools
Too often, homeowners ignore pruning for several years, which causes some 
trees and most shrubs to become overgrown — and often weak or even unsafe. 
When this happens, drastic pruning is necessary to bring the plant back to 
usefulness or to conform to the space. Regular pruning will help keep plants in 
bounds and keep their growth vigorous. You should examine

 

Full article found at this link

https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/HO/HO-4-W.pdf