how to prune spruce trees

Although spruces need very little pruning, bottom branches may die with age and can be removed. For a formal shape, prune new growth in the spring. Shear in late spring, after new growth has expanded. To reduce the size of a branch, cut back to a lateral branch or a visible dormant bud.

When should I prune spruce trees?

An excellent time to prune spruce and fir is late winter when they are still dormant. Spruce and fir possess side or lateral buds. The pruning cut should be just above a side bud or branch. Pines are pruned in early June to early July when the new growth is in the "candle" stage.

Should you trim spruce trees?

Spruce trees (Picea spp.) ... Spruce trees need minimal trimming and are intolerant of heavy pruning. Trimming them is best restricted to removing their dead and damaged branches and to encouraging new shoot growth for fuller trees.

Can you cut the bottom branches of a spruce tree?

Answer: Generally, it is acceptable to remove dead branches on pine trees as they won't grow back. On spruce trees, it can be helpful for the tree to remove dead branch sections so that healthy branches can replace them, since spruces will regrow along the healthy branches that have buds.

Can you trim spruce trees to keep them small?

If you just want to shape your dwarf spruce, or if your tree is young and you want to trim it to keep it small, then you can prune with a good amount of success. Taking care not to cut into the dead zone, cut back any branches that extend beyond the tree's conical shape. Remove ½ to 1 inch (up to 2.5 cm.)

Can you shape a spruce tree?

Although spruces need very little pruning, bottom branches may die with age and can be removed. For a formal shape, prune new growth in the spring. Shear in late spring, after new growth has expanded. To reduce the size of a branch, cut back to a lateral branch or a visible dormant bud.

Can you top a spruce tree?

While many plants can be pruned to keep their size in check, this is hard to do with evergreens because most grow from a central leader. Practices such as topping a tree by cutting off the uppermost part of the trunk should be avoided.

Can a tree die from pruning?

Over pruning reduces the foliage that's available for making food for the rest of the plant and can allow pests and diseases access to the tree, if cuts are made incorrectly. ... So, although pruning may not kill your plant directly, over pruned trees and shrubs can die as a long term result of the associated stress.

Should you cut the bottom branches off a pine tree?

Pruning the lower branches from a mature pine tree (Pinus spp.) is a "could," not a "should." It's a discretionary haircut that improves access under the tree, if that's desired. But like every cut on a coniferous evergreen, you need to prune lower branches -- if at all -- at the right time and in the right way.

Why are my spruce trees dying?

When entire lower branches on a spruce have died, the problem is more likely to be cytospora canker, Yiesla said. This fungus lives under the bark and destroys the vessels that carry water and nutrients, so the whole branch dries out and dies. ... Another common symptom is white sap on the trunk or branches.

Does cutting off dead branches help a tree?

“If you want to grow a healthy tree that can live for a long time, pruning is a must,” says Jason Parker of Davey's North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania office. “Specifically, cutting off dead or diseased branches helps keep you and your home safe.”

How do you stop a pine tree from growing taller?

To prune your pine trees, simply pinch back the new growth, called candles, seen in the spring. It's best to do this by hand. If you use pruning shears to cut the new growth, you could end up cutting into the needles of the trees, leaving them to turn brown.

How do you shape a blue spruce tree?

Prune dead and diseased branches that have brown needles, cutting them close to the blue spruce's trunk but just after the branch collar by using the sharp pruning shears or pole pruner. Shape the blue spruce in accordance with its natural taper, working from the top down.

How do you stop evergreens from growing taller?

Spray or brush a sucker growth inhibitor onto the stub of the original lead stem to keep it from forming any forked growth. Trim the tree's new growth each year to keep it from spreading outward over time. Use the loppers or tree trimmers to make the cuts.

Will pine tree branches grow back?

If you have a pine shrub or tree in your yard, spring is the time to control its growth. ... If you do that to a pine branch, you'll remove the terminal bud — the bud on the end — and the whole branch is likely to die, Fortin said. "The needles will drop off, and they won't regrow," he said.

How do you take care of a spruce tree?

Planted spruce trees benefit from regular maintenance.

Water recently planted spruce trees regularly. ...
Spread organic mulch around the spruce. ...
Fertilize spruce trees in late autumn or early spring. ...
Watch for signs of pests or disease. ...
Cut back the main leader stem, if it is damaged.

How do you shape a Norway spruce?

Prune Norway spruce in the late winter or early spring. For young trees, follow branch tips back until you find two branches growing to either side. Snip off the center branch growth. Doing this will encourage the side branches that remain to grow faster and make the tree bushier.

When should a pine tree be cut down?

If you time the trimming incorrectly, it can hurt the tree's development. It may also kill your pine trees, which is why timing is everything. Summer and spring trimming or pruning is best since it is the tree's dormant season. This is the best time of year to trim since it helps to cut down on bark beetle infestation.

What kind of spruce tree do I have?

Spruce trees can be identified by their needles which have four sides. Each needle is individually attached to the branch and can be rolled easily between your fingers. Another way to identify spruce trees is by their cones that are covered with smooth thin scales. It is quite easy to bend the cones of spruce trees.

Should you trim the bottom of a blue spruce?

Also, inside of the spruce, there is almost no sunlight; this contributes to the development of fungi. All of these problems can be solved by trimming the bottom. Your spruce will become healthier after that. Finally, in nature, blue spruces also lose their lower branches.

How do you shape a pine tree?

Give a pine tree a dense, compact growth pattern by pinching back the candles, or new growth tips, in spring. Break them of at about the middle by hand. Cutting them with shears clips into the needles, causing them to turn brown. Trimming pine trees to shorten the branches is usually a bad idea.