Pruning at the wrong time won't usually kill a plant, but it can cost you a year of flowers or leave fresh cuts exposed to cold. A little timing knowledge goes a long way.
For shrubs that bloom in spring, such as azaleas, prune right after the flowers fade. They set next year's buds soon afterward, so cutting later in the year removes the blooms you were waiting for.
Shrubs that flower on new summer growth can generally be pruned in late winter, before growth starts. Evergreen hedges can be shaped through the growing season; just avoid heavy cuts late in fall, when new growth won't have time to harden before cold weather.
Dead, broken and crossing branches can come out any time of year. Take them back to a healthy joint or the trunk with a clean cut, rather than leaving stubs.
For trees, late winter is a good time to trim, when branches are bare and the structure is easy to see. Keep limbs off your roof and power lines, raise low branches over walks and drives, and thin crowded growth so light and air get through. Large limbs and anything near wires are best left to professionals.
Need a hand? Escudero Landscaping prunes shrubs and trims trees across Greenville and the Upstate. Call (864) 813-1176 for a free estimate.