Working on your yard in Hot Springs, SD requires keeping up with our local climate. Between the heavy winds rolling off the plains and the dry spells we experience in the Southern Hills, keeping landscaping bushes looking sharp is important for survival. Over the years, New Look Tree has answered many questions about how and when to prune shrubs. New Look Tree provides Tree Service work in Hot Springs, SD, and we are sharing what you need to know about shrub care.
When is the best time of year to trim shrubs in Hot Springs?
Most deciduous shrubs do best when you prune them in late winter or early spring before they start pushing out new growth. The shrubs are dormant at that time, which means less stress on the plant and fewer pests flying around to bother fresh cuts. Flowering shrubs are a different story. If you have lilacs or forsythia, wait until right after they finish blooming in the spring. If you trim them in the fall or winter, you will chop off all of the flower buds and wonder why nothing bloomed. New Look Tree performs Shrub Trimming and Tree Service in Hot Springs, SD.
How far back can I cut my overgrown bushes?
The correct amount to cut depends entirely on the species. Some hardy shrubs like potentilla or spirea can take heavy pruning, sometimes called rejuvenation pruning, where you take them right down to 1 foot off the ground. But if you do that to a pine, spruce, or most evergreen hedges, you will end up with a dead, brown patch that never grows back. Evergreens do not regenerate from old wood the way deciduous bushes do. When in doubt, do not take off more than a third of the plant canopy in a single season. For Hot Springs homes, New Look Tree is here for all your Tree Service needs.
Will trimming help my shrubs survive our windy local weather?
Proper thinning makes a significant difference for plants in our area. Overgrown, dense bushes act like solid sails when those strong winds sweep through Fall River County. Instead of the wind passing cleanly through the branches, it catches the whole plant and can split the crotches or rip the root ball right out of the dry soil. Selective thinning lets the wind blow through without tearing the structure apart. We provide Tree Service services for homes and businesses in Hot Springs.
How often should my bushes be trimmed?
Most ornamental and hedge shrubs need at least one good pruning a year to stay dense and healthy. Fast-growers like cotoneaster or privet might need two trims a season if you want to keep them looking neat against your siding or foundation. Ignoring them for three or four years turns a simple maintenance job into a massive brush-clearing headache. New Look Tree provides Tree Service services for homes in Hot Springs, SD.
Should I seal the cuts after pruning large branches?
Do not bother sealing cuts. Tree and shrub paints or wound sealants used to be popular, but modern arboriculture has proven they actually trap moisture and pathogens inside the cut instead of helping. Plants have their own natural defense mechanisms to heal over wounds. Clean, sharp cuts made in the right spot are all it takes to keep your yard healthy. Call New Look Tree for Tree Service work in Hot Springs, SD.
Can I trim my bushes during the hot summer months?
Heavy pruning in the middle of July or August is a bad idea. Hot Springs summers get dry and scorching, and fresh cuts force the shrub to push out tender new growth that burns up instantly in the sun. If a stray branch is blocking a walkway, go ahead and snip it, but save the heavy shaping for the dormant season or early spring. A well-built Tree Service maintenance plan adds real value to any home in Hot Springs.