Trees and shrubs: Q– When should I prune my evergreen shrubs and trees? A– Prune when new growth is partly unfurled.
Q– When should I prune my flowering shrubs? A– Prune spring-flowering shrubs like forsythia and lilac after they have flowered. Do not prune summer-flowering shrubs like hydrangeas or smoke bush this late in the season, or you will sacrifice blooms. However, dead wood or bad branches may be removed. Q– What is defoliating my crabapple trees and/or the trees in my woods? (Late June) A– Gypsy moths. See two separate handouts. Q– How should I care for my rhododendrons and other flowering evergreens and azaleas? A– Remove spent bloom clusters. Topdress with oakleaf compost or cottonseed meal, or fertilize with acid fertilizer like Hollytone after bloom is finished.
