Victims of the Hedge Trimmer; The 7 Wrongs of Shearing Shrubs
Proper pruning maintains a shrub’s natural growth habit. The exception to this is formal pruning in which shrubs are sheared or manipulated into formal geometric shapes. This IS an acceptable pruning practice, even though it can be very stressful. However, shearing all shrubs on a property into “basketballs and hockey pucks” does not constitute proper formal pruning. This “indiscriminate” shrub pruning is a widespread practice because it is fast and requires no knowledge of shrubs.
Looking at this shrub pruning epidemic further, indiscriminate pruning really is a combination of 2 things.
Indiscriminate shrub pruning = Shearing + Poor Decision Making.
Shearing by itself is not inherently wrong, but when it is done with poor decision making, we often see the 7 Wrongs of the Landscape Massacre.
Wrong #1 = Shearing works against the natural form of the shrub.
Completely destroyed amur maple to the point it is almost unrecognizable.
Wrong #2 = Shearing reduces the 5 F’s of shrubs (flowers, fruits, fall color, foliage and form).
Shearing will reduce flowers and health for most shrub types.
Wrong #3 = Pruning cuts are not made at appropriate places on the stem tissue, often leading to dieback and decay.
Another victim of the hedge trimmer with stems that are rip and torn.
Wrong #4 = Shearing is stressful for most species which lessens the life of shrubs, leading to higher replacement costs.
While it can create a nice nap spot for iguanas, not every shrub needs to be a box, ball or hockey puck. All shrubs have a genetic shape. We don’t need to help them along.
Wrong #5 = Shearing causes an “eggshell” appearance of the foliage which shades the base and inner portions of the shrub.
The base of this cotoneaster hedge is completely shaded out and most foliage only grows from the top.
Wrong #6 = Shearing is often used to control size, but can create a shrub larger than it would have been without shearing (since all new growth comes off the top). The BIG Oak says “Remember that pruning is a grow stimulant”.
Wrong #7 = Shearing removes most of a shrub’s new foliage and is usually done during the growing season (worst time to lose foliage).
Aggressively sheared spirea hedge in July. Unfortunately, half of the foliage was removed and obviously doesn’t look really appealing.
Bonus tip from The BIG Oak = The benefit of pruning with a Felco hand pruner instead of a hedge trimmer.
#1 A Felco makes no noise (so your neighbors won’t be annoyed).
#2 A Felco doesn’t require gas and oil (so you can save money and the environment).
#3 You won’t smell like gas when you get done with work.
#4 You won’t break your back from bending over with a heavy hedge trimmer all day (will save time and money at the chiropractor).
#5 You can make cuts at the appropriate place along the stems.
Hand prune reduction cut on a chokeberry shrub in fall.
Final word from The BIG Oak about shearing = If you are going to shear and use a hedge trimmer, then at least follow these 5 guidelines:
#1 Understand the impact
#2 Minimize shearing when possible
#3 Be less aggressive
#4 At least shear at the right time.
#5 Give some respect to certain shrubs like hydrangea, rose and Rhododendron (these should never be sheared).
Shearing all shrubs on a property in the middle of 90-degree heat in July follows none of these guidelines.
