How to Trim Shrubs on a Slope

Remove dead or broken branches from the shrub before starting branch tip trimming. Make the pruning cut one-fourth- to one-half-inch above a lower branch junction, leaf or dormant bud. Bypass or hand pruners suffice on branches less than three-fourths inch thick, but use a loppers to remove branches three-fourths to 1-1/2 inches in diameter.

Stand back and view the shrub from all angles on the slope. Pay particular attention to the side of the shrub that is viewed, such as from the street, sidewalk or the windows of a building. Focus trimming to promote the densest branching and foliage growth on the downward side of the slope.

Trim branch tips across the shrub to remove errant twigs to create a symmetrical silhouette. There's no need to shear the shrub, but merely trim branch tips to encourage more side branches and leaves. Make trimming cuts one-fourth to one-half inch above lower leaves, buds or branch crotches.

Angle the shrub's silhouette so that it looks like an A-shape. In a side profile when viewed from the base of the slope, the shrub's narrowest part must be at the top. The shrub's sides gently taper outward to a slightly wider base. Do not trim the shrubs so that their side profile silhouette resembles a U or V. A narrower shrub top ensures light reaches the lower branches. Shading from a wider shrub top causes the lower branches to become leggy, lose foliage or die out.

Remove branches that lay on the soil to improve the look of the shrub or to improve air circulation around the trunk. If you choose to remove branches so there is 6 inches of clearance above the ground, maintain that clearance around the entire shrub base. Keep the 6-inch clearance distance parallel to the soil on all sides of the shrub on the slope.