When to prune junipers, arborvitae, yews (needled evergreens)
Early spring before new growth, light trim in early summer. Most needled evergreens (except yew) can't regrow from bare interior wood; trim lightly within the green.
| Type | shrub/tree |
|---|---|
| Blooms on | foliage |
| Bloom season | n/a |
| When to prune | Early spring before new growth, light trim in early summer |
| Stop | No heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before your first fall frost |
Avoid
Cutting into old bare wood; fall pruning.
Example dates
| Place | Dates |
|---|---|
| Austin, TX (78701) | Feb 24–Apr 21 |
| Atlanta, GA (30303) | Mar 10–May 5 |
| St. Louis, MO (63101) | Mar 18–May 13 |
| Chicago, IL (60614) | Mar 27–May 22 |
| Denver, CO (80202) | Apr 16–Jun 11 |
| Seattle, WA (98101) | Feb 27–Apr 24 |
Every ZIP page has its own dates. Find your ZIP.
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Sources
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension (Wisconsin Horticulture): Pruning Evergreens
- Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC: Pruning Shrubs
Summarized in our own words from public extension publications.
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