The best time to prune is at the beginning or end of winter, when trees and shrubs are dormant but it's warm enough to work outside. But sometimes you just don't get it done. Then spring rolls around and there's so much to do that pruning takes a back seat. Before you know it, summer's here.
If you're one of the many gardeners who's put off pruning until now, you're in luck. Late summer is considered the second best time to prune. In fact, in a few cases, it's even a better time than winter.
What to prune now
Some trees and shrubs bloom on shoots that sprouted this year (called new wood), and some bloom only on wood that was produced last year (old wood).
Plants that only bloom on old wood -- spirea, weigela, big leaf and oak leaf hydrangea, lilacs and others -- should be pruned right after they bloom. That way, you'll get the best possible bloom next year.
Also, if you have a tree or shrub with a badly damaged or dead limb, prune that limb now. If you leave it, it's likely to fall off the tree and leave a large wound behind. That wound could create an entry point for diseases. Pruning cuts, on the other hand, are much cleaner, which makes it less likely an infection will occur.
Wait to prune
In summer, there are more diseases floating around than in winter, especially if it's been a wet summer. Some trees and shrubs are more susceptible to attack by a wide variety of diseases. So it's best to wait until winter to prune oak, honey locust and ash trees as well as fruit trees, such as apples and plums.
