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Q. Once the heavy winter snows melted, I noticed that I have several broken branches on my shrubs, and some broken tree limbs. Is now a good time to prune them?
A. Seasonal pruning recommendations do not apply when branches and limbs are broken. Damaged wood should be pruned from trees and shrubs as soon as it is practical. Here are a few pointers.
- If the plants are of a size that you can work on them yourself (shrubs and smaller trees) then you can use a sharp set of pruning shears or loppers to remove the broken branches. Make a careful, clean cut back to the next living bud along the broken branch. Call the Colorado State University Extension office in your county and ask to speak to a Master Gardener if you have questions about pruning shrubs and smaller trees.
- Small shrubs with a fair amount of damage may be reduced, after pruning, to a fraction of their former selves in your garden. Although storm damage by itself will not often kill our plants, you might want to consider replacing them if drastic damage has unacceptably altered the look of your landscape.
- If damaged branches are high enough that you can't reach them while standing on the ground, you should consider hiring a professional arborist. It requires special tools, techniques and knowledge to effectively prune above your head. Pruning trees from a ladder is often (usually) a bad idea. DO NOT remove broken limbs with a chainsaw without thoroughly reviewing the safety information included with the chainsaw when you purchased it. The good news is, you can usually get an estimate from a certified arborist for free, and it's a call you, your family, and your woody plants will be glad you made.
- As long as you have some storm clean-up to do, it may also be a great time for you to do some additional pruning for your plants. Once the damaged portions are removed, evaluate whether you have other structural issues to correct. Again, you can do much of this yourself with the right tools.
Q. With all the snow we have had, I have not been able to "winter water." Do I need to worry about my new trees and shrubs?
A. Maybe. The snow cover was great for our trees and shrubs, but winter snows contain far less moisture than those in spring. Remember that we are dealing with plants that have been affected for several years by serious drought conditions. Focus first on your conifers, particularly those most recently planted. As the weather warms, check the soil around their roots. (An inexpensive moisture meter is the perfect tool for this.) If so, you should water them thoroughly. Next, evaluate your deciduous trees, particularly as they begin to bud. As soon as leaves appear, they will require much more water. If nature does not provide it, you must. Here's a handy fact sheet to assist you. http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/4DMG/Trees/Shrubs/spngprun.htm.
For more information, contact your local
Colorado State University Extension office. |
