When and How to Prune Trees & Shrubs in the Lehigh Valley
- Hursh's Landscaping
- Sep 12
- 2 min read
Pruning isn’t just about keeping your yard neat — it’s one of the most important steps you can take to ensure the long-term health, safety, and beauty of your landscape. Done correctly, pruning improves air circulation, prevents disease, encourages strong growth, and even increases the number of blooms your shrubs and trees produce each year.
But here in the Lehigh Valley, where winters can be harsh and summers hot and humid, timing and technique are everything. Pruning at the wrong time can stress your plants, reduce next season’s flowers, or even shorten their lifespan.
Here’s what every homeowner should know about when and how to prune trees and shrubs in our region.
Why Pruning Matters
Plant Health: Removing dead, diseased, or insect-damaged branches keeps problems from spreading.
Growth & Blooming: Proper cuts encourage healthy new growth and more abundant flowers.
Safety: Eliminates weak or overhanging branches that could cause damage during storms.
Curb Appeal: A well-pruned tree or shrub looks cleaner, more intentional, and adds value to your property.
The Best Time to Prune in Lehigh Valley
Late Winter to Early Spring (February–March)
Best for most deciduous trees and shrubs while they’re still dormant.
Pruning at this time promotes vigorous spring growth and makes it easy to see the plant’s structure.
After Blooming (Late Spring to Early Summer)
Shrubs that bloom in early spring — like forsythia, lilacs, azaleas, and rhododendrons — should be pruned right after their flowers fade.
Cutting too late in summer or fall risks removing the buds that will bloom next year.
Fall (Avoid if Possible)
Pruning in fall often stimulates new growth just before frost, leaving plants vulnerable.
The only exception: remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches immediately, no matter the season.
Tips for Successful Pruning
Use the Right Tools
Hand pruners for small branches.
Loppers or pruning saws for larger limbs.
Always keep blades sharp and clean to prevent spreading disease.
Follow the “Three D’s Rule”
First remove anything that is Dead, Diseased, or Damaged.
Cut with Care
Make clean cuts just above a bud, branch, or node.
Avoid leaving stubs, which invite pests and disease.
Don’t Overdo It
As a rule of thumb, never remove more than 25% of a plant’s branches in a single season.
Local Favorites: What to Prune and When
Forsythia & Lilac → prune right after flowering.
Hydrangea (depending on type) → some bloom on old wood (prune after flowering), others on new wood (prune in early spring).
Maple & Oak Trees → late winter pruning reduces sap bleeding and disease risk.
Evergreens (like boxwoods, yews, junipers) → light shaping in late spring or mid-summer.
Pruning is both an art and a science. Done properly, it keeps your landscape safe, healthy, and beautiful year after year. Done incorrectly, it can cause stress and set your plants back.
If you’re unsure about timing or tackling larger trees, it’s worth calling a professional. At Hursh’s Landscaping, we help homeowners across the Lehigh Valley with expert tree and shrub care — so you can enjoy a thriving, low-maintenance yard without the guesswork.
Need help with pruning or landscape maintenance? Contact Hursh’s Landscaping
