Legend:
* = Best time to prune
x = Do not prune except to correct damage, hazards, or structural defects
- = Timing is not critical

Note

1. Seldom needs pruning - remove multiple leaders, dead and broken branches
2. Don't prune into old wood having no leaves or needles
3. Prune during growing season to make more compact or dense
4. To avoid reducing berry production, don't prune during bloom period
5. Prune to prevent oak wilt infection
6. Prune to remove cankers
7. Flower buds set on previous season (old) wood; winter pruning will reduce spring flowering

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Note
Arborvitae	*	*	-	-	*	*	*	x	x	x	*	*	1,2
Atlas Cedar	*	*	-	-	-	-	x	x	x	x	*	*	1,2
Deodar Cedar	*	*	-	-	*	*	x	x	x	x	*	*	1,2,3
Chamaecyparis	*	*	-	-	-	-	x	x	x	x	*	*	1,2
Fir	*	*	-	-	-	-	x	x	x	x	*	*	1,2
Hemlock	-	-	-	*	*	*	*	x	x	x	-	-	1,2,3
Holly (Evergreen)	*	*	-	x	x	x	-	x	x	x	*	*	4
Juniper/Red Cedar	*	*	-	-	-	-	-	x	x	x	*	*	1,2
Leyland Cypress	*	*	-	-	-	-	*	x	x	x	*	*	1,2,6
Magnolia, Southern	*	*	x	x	x	x	x	x	-	-	*	*	1,7
Oak, Live	*	*	-	x	x	x	x	x	-	-	*	*	1,5
Pine	-	-	-	*	*	*	x	x	x	-	-	-	1,2,3
Spruce	-	-	-	-	*	*	x	x	x	-	-	-	1,3

Exception: Timing varies across USDA climate zones - zones within Virginia range from 8a in the Virginia Beach area to 5b along the West Virginia border.

Other resources in:

• Trees, Shrubs, & Groundcovers

Other resources by:

• Bonnie L. Appleton
• Susan C. French

Other resources from:

• Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center