Due to the soaring fuel costs, many of us are doing sta-cations this summer instead of taking vacations. We are staying at home and enjoying our own surroundings. We will be spending leisure time in the yard and we might even be doing more outside entertaining which means everything will need to look its best. One spot that is frequently missed is pruning of the evergreens.
Most evergreen trees benefit from pruning while young. Once the trees get over 12 feet tall, pruning is difficult and usually not needed. First, look at the top of the tree. There should be only one leader pointing up at the top. If you see more, cut the other branches a bit shorter so there is only one long leader on top. With Pine and Hemlock, side branches might also need trimming. If this is done annually, you should only need to trim the new growth lightly. The more you trim the fuller looking the tree will become the next year. This is very advantageous if the trees were planted for privacy or wind protection. Spruce and Fir trees rarely need pruning on the sides.
The proper tools to use are hand pruners or pole pruners for the top leaders and long bladed hedge clippers for the sides. The Christmas tree growers trim their trees with long machetes for speeding up the process. That is a skill I have not learned!
