Wisconsin’s Ultimate Pruning Guide for Trees, Shrubs and Perennials
The pruning guide you’ve been searching for. We turn ordinary people into expert gardeners by giving you secret information like this. Our team of gardeners have anywhere from 5 to 30 years of experience. We know what it feels like to get frustrated and struggle gardening, but we also know what it feels like to succeed and overcome obstacles. We’re in the gardening journey with you and are here to help! Check out this guide and pruning video at the bottom to become an expert on how and when to prune your plants.
Additional Planting and Pruning Info @ McKay Nursery Company
| FRUIT TREES | |
| All fruit trees | Late winter is best |
| TREES | |
| Alder | Late May-June (minor pruning earlier) |
| Amelanchier | Anytime, after bloom |
| Ash | Anytime if treated |
| Birch | Minor pruning in early spring (not May-Aug) |
| Black Walnut | January-March |
| Butternut | January-March |
| Catalpa | Anytime |
| Crabapples | Late winter / early spring before bloom |
| Elm | April-July |
| Ginko | Anytime |
| Hackberry | Anytime |
| Hawthorn | Late winter to early spring |
| Hazelnut | Anytime |
| Honeylocust | Late winter (when dry; also in June) |
| Horsechestnut | Late winter, early spring |
| Ironwood | Early spring |
| Ivory Silk Lilac | Only after flowering |
| Kentucky Coffeetree | Anytime |
| Linden | Anytime |
| Magnolia | Only after bloom |
| Maple | May-summer is best |
| Mountain Ash | Later winter / early spring |
| Mulberry | Anytime |
| Oak | November-March (to prevent oak wilt) |
| Pears | After bloom is best |
| Plum | After bloom is best |
| Poplar | Late winter / early spring |
| Redbud | After bloom is best |
| Willow | Late winter / early spring, less canker |
| SHRUBS | |
| Althea | Anytime, Blooms on new wood |
| Amelanchier | Anytime, After bloom is best if want to enjoy |
| Aronia | Renewal prune |
| Barberry | Anytime, Renewal prune in spring |
| Boxwood | Anytime-July |
| Buddlia | Early spring, 6″ from ground |
| Caryopteris | Early spring, 6″ from ground |
| Clethra | Early spring |
| Cotoneaster | After bloom is best |
| Alpine currant | Anytime |
| Diervilla | Anytime |
| Dogwood | Anytime, Renewal pruning in spring |
| Elderberry | Early spring, Severely prune |
| Forsythia | After bloom in spring |
| F. Bronx & Citrus Swizzle | Anytime |
| Fothergilla | Prune after flowering to shape |
| Hazelnut | Early spring, Renewal prune |
| Honeysuckle | Early spring, Renewal prune/shape anytime |
| Hydrangea Arborescens Types: Annabelle, Invincibelle® Spirit, Samantha, Ryan Gainey | Cut down to a foot or less each spring before they start to grow |
| Hydrangea Macrophylla Types: Endless Summer, Grateful Red | Trim to live wood in spring and remove old blooms |
| Hydrangea Paniculata Types: Bobo, Limelight, Little Lime, Mega Pearl, Pee Gee, Phantom, Pink Diamond, Pinky Winky®, Quick Fire®, Silver Dollar, Strawberry Sundae™, Tardiva, Unique, Vanilla Strawberry™ | Before new growth in spring ONLY! Prune to desired size and shape Usually removing about ⅓ of the overall size |
| All Tree Form Hydrangea Paniculata Types | Trim the head back to about 2′ before it starts to grow in early spring |
| Hypericum | Early spring |
| Ilex | Renewal prune late winter/early spring |
| Kerria | Early spring severely |
| Lilac | Immediately after bloom ONLY! And, renewal prune removing the oldest stems out at the ground level |
| Maple shrubs | Anytime |
| Mockorange | Immediately after bloom, Can be cut severely |
| Ninebark | After bloom, Renewal prune if needed |
| Potentilla | Spring, Take out some old wood to ground |
| Privet | Anytime, Renewal prune |
| Prunus | After bloom |
| Quince | After bloom |
| Rhododendron/ Azelea | Immediately after bloom, Lightly |
| Snowberry | Early spring, before new growth |
| Sorbaria | Early spring, before new growth Spirea-Small |
| Spirea – small reblooming | Early spring & right after first set of blooms |
| Spirea Grefsheim | After bloom |
| Spirea Prunifolia | After bloom |
| Spirea Renaissance | After bloom |
| Spirea Snowmound’ | After bloom |
| Spirea Van Houtteii | After bloom |
| Stephanandra | Anytime |
| Sumac – Most Varieties | Early spring is best |
| Sumac Gro Low | Anytime for shape |
| Viburnum | After bloom only or renewal prune in spring |
| Weigelia | After first bloom in June |
| Willow | Before new growth in spring |
| Witchhazel | Before new growth in spring |
| Woadwaxen | Shear before new growth in spring |
| Yucca | Early spring, remove damaged foliage |
| ROSES | |
| Rugosa Types: Belle, Poitevine, Blanc Double DeCoubert, F.J. Grootendorst, Hansa, Rugosa, Sir Thomas Lipton | Early spring to 4-6″ |
| Therese Bugnet, William Baffin Climber, Red Leaf Rose, Winners Circle Climber | Blooms on last years wood. After bloom, remove blooming canes, leave new canes from base |
| Landscape Types: Including Knock Out® series, Drift Roses | To good wood (4-6″) in spring / deadhead as needed |
| EVERGREENS | |
| Arborvitae, Falsecypress, Hemlock, Junipers, Microbiota, Yews | Early spring to before July 4th |
| Pines | Candle prune in May as new growth expands |
| Spruce & Fir | Candle prune new growth when tenderHead back new growth as needed for maintaining form if necessary |
| PERENNIALS | |
| All Perennials | Late fall or early spring (See separate care sheet) |
| GRASSES | |
| All Grasses | Early spring only! |
Watch this video for how to prune and why it is crucial to your plants longevity, health and happiness.
See this video & more on our YouTube page!
I am confused on pruning of maples, some sites say March and some say summer after bloom, seeing how you are a Wisconsin nursery I would like your opinion on this. Also, I am a small contractor can I buy wholesale from you. Thanks. Chuck
https://mckaygardencenter.com/wisconsin-pruning-guide/
Please reach out to us regarding contractor pricing.