Can You Prune Privets in the Winter?

Pruning Tools

• When pruning privet shrubs or hedges, using the proper tools is just as important as using the proper pruning techniques. Use pruning shears to cut branches up to three-quarters of an inch in diameter. Use loppers to cut through branches up to 1 1/2 inches thick. Loppers are similar to pruning shears, but their longer handles provide the leverage necessary to cut thicker branches. Opt for a hand saw when pruning larger branches. Hedge shears work well for shearing privet shrubs or hedges. Sharpen and sterilize your pruning shears before each use to ensure clean cuts and prevent the spread of botanical diseases.

Shearing

• Shearing is a simple pruning technique that can be used to remove browned foliage and stimulate bushy new growth. Use hedge shears or pruning shears to trim 3 to 4 inches off of the length of each privet branch. Cutting the branches back to healthy leaf nodes helps ensure a faster recovery when the privet shrub or hedge starts growing again in the spring.

Shaping

• One of the most common reasons for pruning a privet shrub or hedge is to control its size and shape, according to the book "Introductory Horticulture" by Carroll Shry and H. Edward Reiley. Privets can be shaped each year before new growth begins. Remove up to one-third of the length of each branch to gain the desired size and shape. When shaping privet hedges, cut the branches so that the ones at the bottom of the hedge are wider than the branches at the top of the hedge. This shape allows both the bottom and top branches to receive equal sunlight.

Rejuvenation Pruning

• Rejuvenation pruning involves cutting all of the branches of the shrub or hedge down to just 6 inches above the ground. This type of severe pruning is particularly useful for taming older, overgrown privet shrubs and hedges. Removing the overcrowded branches improves the air circulation and encourages vigorous spring growth. Rejuvenate your privet shrub or hedge every three to five years or as needed.