How to Rejuvenate Boxwood Cuttings

Boxwoods are common landscape plants throughout North America, due in part to their hardiness and varied landscape uses. Whether you are growing a new or well-established boxwood in your garden, you should prune it at least once in the spring or early summer in order to rejuvenate the cuttings and promote healthy growth. Though American boxwoods develop new growth more quickly than the English variety, this method can be applied to both types of boxwood.

Pruning saw
Extra saw blade
Water hose

Instructions

- 1
  Separate the boxwood branches with your hands so that you can peak into the interior near the trunk. If you see shoots growing out from the trunk, your boxwood can be rejuvenated. If you do not see shoots emerging from the trunk, do not prune the boxwood. Instead, wait another week or two for the shoots to emerge.
- 2
  Cut branches away from the boxwood trunk just above the area where the new shoots are emerging. You will probably cut away approximately half of the branch height. Use a sharp pruning saw and have a backup saw ready, as boxwoods tend to dull pruning saws.
- 3
  Remove additional outer leaves or stems that take away from the aesthetic effect you are trying to achieve for your boxwood, but do not remove more than half of the tree.
- 4
  Remove any damaged or diseased leaves and shoots. You can also remove any greenery or branches that may be blocking the sunlight from reaching newer, healthier branches and greenery.
- 5
  Water your pruned boxwood at least once a week if the weather is dry during the spring.

What Plants Work Well With Newport Plums?

How to Get Rid of a Tulip Poplar Stump

Trees