Restorative Pruning: How to Rejuvenate Overgrown Trees and Shrubs the Right Way

Restorative pruning is the art and science of bringing neglected, overgrown, or damaged plants back to health. By selectively removing dead, crossing, or poorly structured branches, we guide trees and shrubs toward stronger form, better light penetration, and renewed growth. In this post, we explore when restorative pruning is needed, how to approach it safely, and the techniques that produce long-lasting results—ensuring your landscape thrives for years to come.

Fasciation on Smoke Tree: Causes, Control & Ornamental Uses

Fasciation on Cotinus coggygria showing flattened ribbon-like stem

Ever noticed a smoke tree with stems that look flattened or ribbon-like? That’s fasciation—a rare growth anomaly that can turn ordinary plants into quirky showpieces. Learn what causes fasciation, whether it’s harmful, how to manage it, and why some gardeners celebrate it in ornamental design.

Spring Pruning – Regenerative Pruning and Pollarding

We were at a clients and performed a LOT of pruning. There are 3 examples of plants we pruned. Old, overgrown apples, an old dappled willow standard and a Rose-of-Sharon. The difference between spring-flowering and summer-flowering woody plants lies primarily in their blooming patterns and the type of growth on which they produce flowers. Spring-Flowering … Read more

Spring Pruning of Conifers

These are the candles on the Dwarf Scots Pine.

I have to say we are at the end of the time to complete this garden task BUT complete it we must. What I am about to share with you is a pruning technique called candling. This process needs to be completed before the growth starts to harden off. This is a photo of some … Read more