Pruning our trees and shrubs has been the big job to get done in March. When the trees have no leaves in late winter or early spring — that’s the best time to prune because you really can see the branch structure, and it’s so much easier to get in between the branches with pruning tools. Last year I did it most of it myself, but this year due to my RSI problems, I called in a real pro.
Bob May, the plant sculptor
Bob May, who calls his company “The Plant Sculptors” is my go-to-guy for pruning. Bob worked for RBG (Royal Botanical Gardens) for many years and is the best artistic pruner that I know. He will look at a tree or shrub and know exactly how much to take away to make it look graceful and natural. As well, he always prunes with an eye to where he wants to encourage new growth to go.
I love Bob’s work because it is the polar opposite of what most landscapers do, which is whack trees and shrubs back, or turn them into hamburger buns or amorphous blobs. It’s too bad that so many people watch what most landscapers (the so-called pros) do, and then emulate them. The result is bun-like forsythia shrubs instead of nicely branched arching plants.
Pagoda dogwood after pruning
The small tree shown in the picture here is a Pagoda Dogwood, which actually looked pretty good before Bob pruned it. He removed several lower branches limb it up, and he thinned it out considerably.
I was surprised at how many branches came out of the tree. It showed me that I’m probably a bit too timid when I prune.
What I love about looking at a tree that Bob has pruned is that it looks perfectly shaped, and doesn’t scream “Hey, I’ve just been pruned.”
If you’re a serious gardener, it’s really a good idea to learn the basics of good pruning. I recommend Cass Turnbull’s Guide to Pruning: What, When, and Where and How to Prune for a More Beautiful Garden
If you live in the Hamilton area, and you need some pruning done, you can reach Bob May at 905 549-8328. Bob is also expert at clipping boxwood. He has done a terrific job with our boxwood hedge.
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Hi Ms. Yvonne,
It seems I remember you (i.e., your blog) from some time ago. But I can’t quite recall what I commented about or when I commented. It was probably before I made the switch to WordPress.com from Blogger.
I too am quite disgusted to see meatball pruning jobs, and forsythia pruned into boxed hedges! I just wrote about this in my latest article for our local paper (I’m the gardening columnist).
I also saw your post on the gardenwriters mailing list with advice for Sandie Parrott about blogs. I was going to offer her the same basic tips that you provided. Which are the same tips that someone else gave me when I switched from Blogger to Wordpress.
Anywho, I hope you’re spring garden is shaping up just right and your plans for the summer garden are too.
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