How to Prune Bushes

Start pruning in the spring, when new growth has began, or in the fall, before the leaves have dropped off deciduous bushes. Wear work gloves and safety goggles.

Prune away any dead, dying or diseased branches with pruning shears, hedge clippers or a small handsaw. Cut off any branch that is not producing healthy leaves or has leaves with strange bumps or discolorations.

Trim back any branches that cross another branch or get in the way of other plants, buildings, windows or activities. You generally do not have to prune the branch all the way back to the main trunk -- cut it just enough to clear the item in question.

Prune large branches with a small saw, starting the cut from the bottom side of the branch. Saw about half way through the branch, then finish sawing from the top side. This helps the saw make a clean cut and helps the bush recover more quickly.

Cut the bush into the desired shape; this may be a big job if the bush has been allowed to grow wild. Bushes are often pruned into rounded shapes. Keep bushes next to a house or window shorter than those growing in an area without obstructions.

Complete heavy pruning over a period of several years. If you want to cut the bush back a lot, prune it about one-third to one-half of the way back one year, then cut the same amount the next year. This way, the tree will have enough leaves to stay alive through the following year. If you prune the bush down all at once, it may not grow back.

Prune away one-third of the branches to thin out a large, dense bush. Cut these branches right to the base trunk of the bush.