Pruning trees and shrubs

Pruning Shrubs Made Easy

Last week we spoke on pruning fruit trees. Now let’s talk about pruning shrubs made easy (multiple stemmed woody plants). There are two types of shrubs: ones that bloom on old wood (lilacs) and ones that bloom on new wood. For the ones that bloom on old wood (usually early flowering), wait till the shrub is done blooming before pruning (why sacrifice the flowers). The rest can be pruned now.


Most shrubs will be pruned because they are a tangled mess.

1. Remove up to 1/3 of the plant. Remove the oldest canes by cutting them down to the ground. In three years, the shrub will have new canes and renewed vigor.

2. You can reduce the height by cutting the canes back. Cut above an outward bud using a bypass pruner and cut at a 45-degree angle.

3. If the shrub has a lot of growth in the middle, thin out the center by cutting the twigs back to the main cane. This allows air and light to get to the center of the plants reducing disease and insect damage.

Just doing these three things will reenergize the plant making an old shrub new again.

Fruit trees and fruit shrubs

What is Espalier

An old way of pruning fruits against a wall, fence, or other flat area was called espalier. This French word means “something to rest on”. This art was a practice in Mt. Vernon and other spots in early colonial days. This practice fell out of use with the breeding of dwarf fruit varieties.

Is it practical? A tree can be trained along a south-facing wall creates a micro-climate a zone or two warmer than out in the open. You can grow many varieties in an area than normal. Now it is mainly used as a decorative accent as a living fence.

It is not that hard to create an espalier by topping off the leader trunk and training 4 to 6 of the lateral branches. With better air circulation, insects and diseases are reduced, the fruit is larger and more deeply colored and harvests over a shorter period of time.

Apple and pear are traditionally used; however, you can use cherry, plum, and apricots.

Home Improvement

Home do it Yourself

Are you a home do it yourself, good. Some of us are not (like me). Some of us think you can do this, I mean how hard can it be, I got pictures. These people end up with something like the pictures.

Dealing with plumbing and electricity there are certain codes that you must adhere to given by the city or county. These are important if you are going to sell the property in the future. Does your insurance company cover these renovations?

However, there are projects like installing flooring, painting, or other minor projects that any of us can accomplish. It does not hurt to get a second opinion, (“Does this look correct? Does a pink wall contrast with a neon blue tub?” “Did you measure twice?” I found watching YouTube videos does help greatly!