Heavy snow can damage branches....using a broom, gently push UP on branches to knock off snow.  If it's a weeping tree, then it's okay to gently brush downwards....

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Pruning is our specialty. 

We love to take an overgrown tree or shrub ('before' photo at left) and return it to its natural beauty.  ('after' photo at right)  We hand prune most trees and shrubs, one branch at a time.  This takes longer than shearing with hedge trimmers, but creates a more natural looking shrub and allows it to continue growing properly. Shearing creates more work in the long run, because every time one branch gets longer than the others, it has to be sheared again. Please note that we only prune shrubs and ornamental trees.  We don't cut down trees or do anything that requires climbing a tree or ladder!

    We specialize in pruning unusual shrubs like weeping shrubs and topiary.

 Pruning Tip: Always identify your shrub before you start pruning -- then make the cuts to maintain the natural growth habit of the shrub.

Call us when:

bulletYou're worried you'll make a mistake and ruin an expensive tree like a weeping Japanese maple.
bulletYour shrubs are overgrown and may break through your windows at any moment.
bulletYour husband gets out the chain saw and says "No problem."

Don't call us when:

bulletYou want your shrubs sheared.  Except for a few shrubs like yews and boxwood, we don't shear shrubs.  Why not?  Have you noticed that when you shear your shrubs they develop a "fan" shape at the top as new branches pop out?  This creates a very dense top to the shrub, shielding the inside from sun and air circulation.  This, naturally, discourages growth.  Result? The branches inside become bare, and even die out.  Then, when the shrub gets overgrown and you want to reduce its size, you can't do it because you'd be cutting back to bare branches which would be risky and look terrible.  This is one of the reasons we don't shear shrubs.  Another reason is that a landscape full of balls and squares looks awful!  Our hedge trimmers languish in the shed, waiting for spring when we use them to cut down ornamental grasses! watch a video on why we don't shear shrubs

Private Pruning Lessons: 

    Don't waste time and money on pruning classes that focus on lots of shrubs that you don't even have in your garden.  Carol will come to your home and show you exactly how to prune your specific ornamental trees and shrubs. Afterwards, you'll feel confident that you can continue on your own, because you'll know the proper way to prune.  Lesson Fee:  $50 per hour, minimum 2 hours.

Contact Carol with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2011 One Garden at a Time - reproduction of any information or photograph on this web site, by electronic means or otherwise, without written permission, is strictly forbidden.      Last modified: 12/18/11