Authors as Published
Bonnie Lee Appleton, Extension Nursery Specialist, Virginia Tech; Susan C.
French, Research Specialist, Virginia Tech
Legend:* = Best time to prune
x = Do not
prune except to correct damage, hazards, or structural defects
- = Timing is
not critical
Note
- Seldom needs pruning - remove multiple leaders, dead and broken
branches
- Don't prune into old wood having no leaves or needles
- Prune during growing season to make more compact or dense
- To avoid reducing berry production, don't prune during bloom period
- Prune to prevent oak wilt infection
- Prune to remove cankers
- Flower buds set on previous season (old) wood; winter pruning will reduce
spring flowering
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Note |
Arborvitae |
* |
* |
- |
- |
* |
* |
* |
x |
x |
x |
* |
* |
1,2 |
Atlas Cedar |
* |
* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
x |
x |
x |
x |
* |
* |
1,2 |
Deodar Cedar |
* |
* |
- |
- |
* |
* |
x |
x |
x |
x |
* |
* |
1,2,3 |
Chamaecyparis |
* |
* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
x |
x |
x |
x |
* |
* |
1,2 |
Fir |
* |
* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
x |
x |
x |
x |
* |
* |
1,2 |
Hemlock |
- |
- |
- |
* |
* |
* |
* |
x |
x |
x |
- |
- |
1,2,3 |
Holly (Evergreen) |
* |
* |
- |
x |
x |
x |
- |
x |
x |
x |
* |
* |
4 |
Juniper/Red Cedar |
* |
* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
x |
x |
x |
* |
* |
1,2 |
Leyland Cypress |
* |
* |
- |
- |
- |
- |
* |
x |
x |
x |
* |
* |
1,2,6 |
Magnolia, Southern |
* |
* |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
- |
- |
* |
* |
1,7 |
Oak, Live |
* |
* |
- |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
- |
- |
* |
* |
1,5 |
Pine |
- |
- |
- |
* |
* |
* |
x |
x |
x |
- |
- |
- |
1,2,3 |
Spruce |
- |
- |
- |
- |
* |
* |
x |
x |
x |
- |
- |
- |
1,3 |
Exception: Timing varies across USDA climate zones - zones within Virginia
range from 8a in the Virginia Beach area to 5b along the West Virginia
border.