How to Trim Shrubs

Steps

Part 1

Leveling Shrub Height

1. 1

   Examine your shrub for blooms to determine when you should trim it.

   For blooming shrubs, trim them in the winter when they're dormant to prevent stunting flower growth. You can trim non-flowering shrubs anytime except late autumn when any new growth the plant has after trimming won't have time to mature before it goes dormant.

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   • If you're growing a hedge, trim it when the branches look overgrown until about 6 weeks before your area's usual first frost.
   • Avoid doing extensive trimming when it is not your shrub's trimming season. Light trimming to keep it from looking overgrown is fine, but too much may damage your plant.

2. 2

   Lay a tarp around the shrub you trim.

   This will make cleanup easier and catch any small branches or leaves that fall on the ground. If you're trimming multiple shrubs, clean the tarp off and move it around as you work through the different shrubs.

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3. 3

   Use 2 stakes as a guide while you level the shrub.

   Set up 2 stakes on each side of the shrub and tie a string between them. Keep the string taut and use it as the height that you'll trim the shrub to. If you want an especially precise measurement, use a level to position the strings to make sure they are even.

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   • If the shrub is small and close to your home or siding, you could also use either as a leveling guide as you cut.

4. 4

   Use your shears or a hedge trimmer to cut along the top.

   Avoid cutting below the guideline to keep your leveling job even. When you've finished trimming along the top, examine your work. Check for and cut away any remaining branches that seem out of place.

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   • A hedge trimmer is ideal for cutting the shrub's height because running it over the top will give you a smoother finish.

5. 5

   Keep the top narrower than the base.

   The base of your shrub should be the widest part of the plant. Examine the shrub after you have made the top even. If your shrub seems top-heavy, use your shears or hedge trimmer to make it thinner.

   ^[5]

Part 2

Trimming Shrub Sides

1. 1

   Keep the shrub's sides 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) inches away from your home.

   This will keep the plant from rubbing against your home's walls, which prevents scratches in your siding. If your shrub currently brushes against your home, measure 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) out and mark the distance you will cut it away from your home.

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   • Because plants need water to survive, any shrubs touching your home could cause water damage over time.

2. 2

   Begin cutting near the bottom of the shrub and work your way to the top.

   Cut in smooth, even strokes to keep the shrub's sides even. As you cut, keep the base wider than the rest of the shrub to help the plant look balanced.

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3. 3

   Cut the sides at a slight angle.

   This will help keep the plant narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. If the plant is widest at its bottom, sunlight will be able to reach the lower branches and maintain the leaves' green color.

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4. 4

   Make shallow cuts as you work your way up.

   Avoid cutting too deeply as you work. Remove 1–3 inches (2.5–7.6 cm) at a time, particularly from the base, to prevent trimming away too much. You can always cut more later if you're unsatisfied with the shrub's shape.

   • Try to retain the shrub's natural shape as much as possible to keep it healthy.^[9]

5. 5

   Examine the sides for uneven areas when you're finished cutting. Check the shrub's overall shape and look for any branches that stick out. If you spot unruly branches or feel that the shrub looks uneven, make adjustments with your shears until the plant looks even and balanced.

Part 3

Removing Dead, Diseased, or Overgrown Branches

1. 1

   Cut away the thickest overgrown branches first.

   Use your shears or a hedge trimmer to cut unruly branches back from the base. This will prevent overgrown branches from sticking out too far and promote new side growth.

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2. 2

   Clear out some limbs near the center.

   If your shrub has multiple overgrown branches around the center, cut several back to the base with your trimmer. As you clear limbs, try to retain the plant's natural shape and keep the base the widest part.

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   • Thinning out the center will help light reach the bottom branches.
   • Avoid cutting center branches that aren't overgrown, as trimming too many main branches can harm shrubs.

3. 3

   Remove diseased or damaged branches or branch segments.

   Inspect your shrub for sick-looking or broken branches, which must be removed to retain the plant's health. Cut away any rotten parts of the branch until you reach healthy wood. If part of a branch is healthy, you do not need to remove it in its entirety. Just remove as much of the dead or unhealthy section as possible.

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   • Research common pests or diseases your shrub might suffer from and keep an eye out for early signs of damage.

4. 4

   Do not remove more than 1/3 of the shrub.

   Cutting more than 1/3 of the plant makes it weaker and vulnerable to pests or diseases. If you feel like you might be over trimming the plant, smooth your work out as best as you can and finish trimming the shrub.

   ^[13]

Community Q&A

Add New Question

• Question

  How high can shrubs get?

  Andy Winder

  Community Answer

  It depends on the shrub species. Some shrub varieties are known to grow 10 ft (3 m) or higher

• Question

  What is the main purpose of shrub trimming?

  Andy Winder

  Community Answer

  There are two main purposes to shrub trimming. Trimming keeps the plant healthy and also avoids overgrown shrubs from crowding your yard or garden.

• Question

  How do I trim a ninebark shrub?

  Andy Winder

  Community Answer

  Because a ninebark shrub is a flowering shrub, it's best to trim it in winter. Cut back any dead or damaged branches, shape its sides, and flatten the top to keep the plant healthy.

• Question

  We just moved and our new house has shrubs. They are very overgrown. Can I cut them down enough so the stone work can be seen? It is mid summer now. If I cut that much off will that kill the shrub?

  Andy Winder

  Community Answer

  It depends on what kind of shrub you have and how much you want to cut. If your plant is a non-flowering shrub, you can trim it without any problems during the summer. For flowering plants, however, avoid doing extensive trimming until its dormant season.

• Question

  Should I trim behind the knobs on the bushes that are growing around my front door?

  Andy Winder

  Community Answer

  Yes. Your shrub should stay about 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) away from your home to prevent water damage.

• Question

  I have old shrubs in my RV park. If I trim them way back and remove all dead stuff at base will they die?

  Andy Winder

  Community Answer

  It depends on how much you need to remove. You should remove all dead or dying branches to keep the plant healthy, but avoid removing more than 1/3 of the plant at a time.

• Question

  Some of our shrubs are overgrown, and I'd like to trim them now in the spring. Is that advisable rather than wait until the fall?

  wikiHow Contributor

  Community Answer

  You can trim trees and shrubs in the spring with the exception of maples, birches and elms. Maples and birches have watery sap that runs in the spring, and if they are cut, will leak for quite a while. Elms can only be pruned in winter to help prevent transmission of Dutch elm disease.

• Question

  Is fall trimming okay to do?

  wikiHow Contributor

  Community Answer

  Yes. Be mindful, however, of how many winter buds are left on the branches since this is where next years growth will come from.

• Question

  If I trim my shrubs will they require more water?

  wikiHow Contributor

  Community Answer

  No, trimming shrubs does not change their water requirements.

• Question

  Am I supposed to trim off the new growth at the top of the shrub?

  wikiHow Contributor

  Community Answer

  No. If it's your shrub, you can prune it how you see fit. If it is pruned as a hedge, it will need to be pruned back at least once a season to maintain its shape. This is also true for a topiary.

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Tips

• Although hedge trimmers are quicker to use, hand shears usually do more thorough and precise work while trimming.
• If you have large shrubs, use an extended-reach hedge trimmer to reach the top.

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