How to Trim a Pyracantha Bush

Pyracantha is the name of a genus that includes shrubs that are commonly known as firethorn. Pyracantha is a large shrub, growing to 10 feet in height with a 12-foot spread. A low-maintenance shrub, pyracantha requires little water and no fertilizer. Grown for its ability to provide a thorny, impenetrable shrub, and for its pretty red berries that remain through winter, pyracantha typically requires little pruning. Prune the pyracantha bush in spring, after flowering.

Thick gloves
Pruning shears
Loppers
Hedge trimmers

Instructions

- 1
  Look through the pyracantha bush for any branches that are broken or dead and cut them off to their points of origin.
- 2
  Cut off diseased branches. Pyracantha scab, a fungal disease, spots the foliage and berries with black splotches. Remove these branches back to a main branch and remove berry clusters and bag them.
- 3
  Shape the pyracantha to your desire. Try not to cut off too much of the old wood because that is what produces next season's buds. When you cut a branch, take it back to either another branch or to the main stem.
- 4
  Rake up all pruning debris. Diseased branches, leaves and fruit should be bagged or destroyed.
- 5
  Water the pyracantha bush to a depth of 10 inches after pruning.

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