Unlike many deciduous trees, most conifers should not be pruned, or only a little. Since they are also very vigorous, dwarf or other cultivated forms should be planted in the garden from the outset. Wild forms often become too large and cannot be kept small by pruning measures.

Coniferous trees should be pruned with great care

The most important information at a glance

Deciduous and coniferous trees not only differ from the outside, but also with regard to a very specific point: coniferous trees do not have dormant eyes and therefore do not sprout again if they are cut back too much. Instead, it may only be cut back into the green wood, since growth only grows at the tips of the shoots. A strong pruning leads to unsightly holes that do not close again. However, there is one exception: yew trees can even be cut back radically and still sprout again.

The main tips when pruning conifers:

  • Only cut green shoots, no brown wood!
  • Always cut back a little.
  • This applies not only to trees, but also to shrubs and hedges.
  • If possible, do not cut the center drive.
  • Although this stops the growth in height, a side shoot now grows as a new central shoot.
  • This creates an unsightly kink in the tree.
  • Therefore, do not cut tree tops!

The ideal pruning time for most conifers is around the end of July. Only pines are cut back in May.

How to properly prune coniferous trees

Even if most coniferous trees do well without regular pruning, you still have to use pruning shears from time to time for various reasons.

care cut

This applies, for example, to broken, dead, frozen or dried branches that should be removed to prevent disease. Even very dense twigs or branches can thin out, although there are usually no new shoots - so it's better not to take away too much.

Hedge trimming and topiary

With the exception of yews, the pruning rules listed above also apply to hedges and topiaries. Here, too, only the green shoots may be cut, otherwise there will be bare spots. If you haven't cut a hedge for a long time, you can only come to terms with its height and width - because a drastic pruning does not work. The only alternative is to rip out the hedge and plant a new one.

tips

Pine trees can be limited in their growth comparatively well by cutting back the candle-shaped new shoots by two thirds about every two years.

Category:

Trees