Out with the old and in with the new. The hardiest of shrubs can benefit from this sage advice. Regular pruning of dead and diseased parts of a plant helps keep it strong, vigorous and more resistant to storm damage. Pruning also makes the plant fit better into your overall landscape design. Carefully pruned flowering plants produce more flowers year-in and year-out, while fruit bearing trees will yield more fruit. Below are some quick tips for your benefit:

1. When you should prune. The best time to spruce is generally during the plant's dormant period. This is usually in late winter. However, pruning should be done year-round as needed.


2. Optimum Pruning Times: Dead or diseased branches may be removed anytime, but the sooner the better. Water sprouts may be removed anytime, but the sooner the better. Summer blooming bushes and shrubs should be pruned in late winter or early spring. Spring blooming bushes and shrubs after bloom should be trimmed in late spring or early summer. Maple, Burch, Walnut or Popular should be pruned in the fall. Fruit trees should be cut back in late winter or early spring.


3. Choosing the right tools. Picking the right tool for the job means less work and ensures that your plants will heal more quickly. Hand pruners work well for small jobs; loopers for large; hedge sheers for hedges, bushes and shrubs; and tree purners for those hard-to-reach tree limbs.


4. Anvil vs. Bypass. Hand pruners and lopper are available with either anvil or by-pass blades. There are advantages to both. Anvil blades are efficient in cutting dry, hard and old growth. By-pass blades are great for precise clean flush cuts. They are ideal for new green growth.


5. The proper cut. Position the cut to a bud as new growth comes from the bud. Be careful not to make the cut too close or far away from a bud. With by-pass pruners, position the hook to the discarded side of the branch so as not to damage the bark of the remaining branch.


6. Pruning shrubs. Prune shrubs first to remove dead or damaged branches. Next prune to improve the shrub's shape. Cut out oversized branches the droop. Trim older stems to the ground to allow room for new branches. Finally, to completely renovate a shrub, cut back to within 6 inches of the ground.


7. Trimming hedges. Hedges may require trimming several times a year to maintain proper form and growth. for a more formal hedge, sheer the sides and the top. For a more informal look, selectively shear back unwanted branches. Make sure to taper hedge sides and the top. If a shrub is top heavy, lower leaves and stems will die because of inadequate sunlight.


8. Pruning trees. To make your trees healthier and more attractive, first prune inward growing branches or branches that rub. Prune competing secondary leaders. Trim water sprouts and deeep-crothced limbs with weak connections. Prune broken, storm-damanged limbs. Finally remove suckers.


9. Removing large limbs: Make the first cut form below. Cut the limb several inches beyond the first cut. Cut the remaining limb at an angle to that the bark collar remains intact.