How to Prune Ornamental Holly

Pruning your ornamental holly keeps it looking beautiful and neat, and allows the plant to receive more sunlight and grow quickly. Prune the holly in early spring, before it flowers, so the plant will produce more berries. Wear gloves as you prune, because the leaves are prickly. Pruning is a simple process and should be done once or twice a year to remove unhealthy branches and keep the holly bush a manageable size.

Pole pruner
Hand shears or lopping shears
Gloves

Instructions

- 1
  Select your tools. The best tool for the job depends on the height and diameter of your holly bush. For a tall bush, use a pole pruner. Hand shears or lopping shears will create smooth and precise cuts for small- to medium-sized branches. Avoid using hedge shears, since they do not offer much precision and can't handle large branches.
- 2
  Determine which branches you want to prune. Decide whether you are pruning to promote growth or to prevent damage to the plant. This will help you know what parts of the holly to prune. Do not prune the center branch.
- 3
  Cut the branches roughly 1 inch from the base of the main branch or above the nearest bud. Do not leave long stumps, since they may decay and cause damage to other parts of the holly. Don't prune too closely to the base, since that will cause unnecessary damage to the plant.
- 4
  Dispose of the trimmings. Depending on the season, you may be able to use some of the branches as holiday decorations.

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