How to Clip My Shrubs Into Shapes
- 1). Make a plan. Have a clear picture in your mind of the shape you wish to create. Follow the natural growth pattern of the shrub. Topiary is art of trimming and pruning evergreen shrubs or conifers into interesting shapes and forms. When wishing to prune mature, established shrubs, it is often best to enlist the services of a professional tree trimmer to sculpt the shape you wish and you can then maintain.
- 2). Trim shrubs when young to establish shape and vigorous growth. Shrubs are best trimmed during the growing season in late spring after the flowers have dropped. Always cut above the bud.
- 3). Use clean, sharp tools to make a clean cut. Cuts are essentially wounds in the shrub, so be sure tools are very sharp to avoid making a tear or snag in the branch.
- 4). Clip carefully and slowly. Step back from the shrub and view it from all sides. Many shrubs and trees are damaged or deformed by over-zealous pruning.
- 5). Remove damaged and dead branches but only 1/2 to 2/3 of new growth. Be especially cautious when trimming old growth on evergreen shrubs. New buds may not appear on old, woody stems or branches.