Severe pruning — a.k.a. "coat racking" — is never good for ficus and other evergreen trees, but pruning during high heat is even worse.

Pruning at the right time of year protects the tree from pests and diseases, whereas trimming at the wrong time is a tree ...

When pruning evergreens, it's important to avoid cutting into the older wood, as these trees don't regrow from cuts made in the mature, woody parts of the tree. Instead, focus on the green, newer ...

This week’s final article on pruning focuses on evergreen trees. There is a big difference in timing the pruning of pines versus spruces and others. Pruning pines at the wrong time means no more ...

Deciduous trees and shrubs and most evergreens respond well to pre-spring pruning. Now is your opportunity to reduce the size of plants that have outgrown their space, correct symmetry issues and ...

Pruning evergreen trees involves different steps. Remove any dead or damaged limbs, but avoid heavy pruning. Evergreens do not regenerate well from cuts into old wood.

Evergreens are not fully dormant in the winter, and pruning in the winter could lead to tip burn where water is lost from the cut. You’ll need pruners, loppers, a hand saw and a pole saw.

However, some gardeners prune evergreens to encourage bushier growth. On pines, this would normally be late spring or early summer, when “candles” of new growth have emerged from terminal buds.

When pruning large limbs off trees, begin with an undercut first. This is a cut from the bottom up, about one-third of the way through the limb, 4 inches or so away from the main trunk.

Similarly, “Prune when the knife is sharp” appears to give license to prune anytime we’ve got the tools ready. Timing is important, though, and some seasons are better than others for the task.

While you’re pruning, you also can fertilize your trees and shrubs to nourish them before spring. Use a two-to-three-month controlled release, balanced fertilizer.