Gardening - Q&A: Shearing Evergreen Trees

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Q&A: Shearing Evergreen Trees

Question: How do I prune evergreen trees to make them fill out? They are 8 to 10 feet tall. I'd like to look more like Christmas trees.

Answer: Christmas trees are sheared annually starting when they're very young, with an overall trim to achieve those "fat" shapes. Shearing is generally not the best method for long-term health of most plants, but since these trees are destined to be cut young, it is acceptable. Many types of evergreen shrubs and trees need little or no pruning to keep them in prime condition. Here are some general guidelines for pruning needled evergreens: Prune those that produce side buds on the shoots, such as spruce, fir and Douglas-fir, by cutting the tips back to the desired length in late winter or early spring when buds are dormant. In plants which produce few side buds, such as pines, pruning may be accomplished by pinching or snapping off with the fingers a portion of the young growth "candles" that form in late spring and early summer. The proper time to prune is when the "candles" snap off easily and cleanly. Avoid cutting these plants with a knife or shears, since this method invariably injures some of the needles and later gives the plant a general brown appearance. This type of pruning will result in bushier plants, but probably not quite as bushy as Christmas trees.

Content provided by the National Gardening Association