Expert pruning for health, structure, and rejuvenation. Beyond basic trimming—selective cutting that improves plant form and vigor.
Get FREE AssessmentTrimming maintains existing size through light cutting of new growth—regular maintenance done 2-3 times yearly.
Pruning is substantial selective removal of branches to improve structure, health, and form—strategic intervention done annually or as needed.
Think of trimming as haircuts maintaining your style, while pruning is restyling, correction, or renovation work.
Years of no maintenance require substantial cutting bringing shrubs back to reasonable size.
Crossing branches, dead wood, weak crotches, or imbalanced form need selective improvement.
Old shrubs with sparse growth or minimal flowering benefit from rejuvenation stimulating new growth.
Removing diseased, damaged, or dead wood requires pruning cuts beyond simple trimming.
Overly dense interiors benefit from selective thinning allowing light and air penetration.
Significantly oversized shrubs need heavy pruning beyond what maintenance trimming addresses.
Different situations require different pruning approaches. We match technique to your shrubs' needs:
Heavy cutting that renews old, overgrown, or declining shrubs by stimulating vigorous new growth from dormant buds.
Removes selected interior branches improving light penetration and air circulation while maintaining natural form.
Improves framework by removing crossing branches, weak crotches, and poorly positioned growth for long-term health.
Removes dead, dying, diseased, or damaged wood that harbors pests and wastes plant energy.
Cuts back significantly oversized shrubs while maintaining reasonably attractive form where possible.
Timing-specific pruning that maintains both size control and maximum flower production for next season.
Optimal time for most shrub pruning. Plants are dormant, structure is visible, and spring growth covers cuts quickly. Summer-flowering shrubs pruned now.
Spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, lilac, azalea) must be pruned immediately after bloom to preserve next year's flower buds.
Fall cutting stimulates new growth that won't harden off before winter freeze, resulting in cold damage and wasted energy.
Severe rejuvenation pruning looks terrible initially—you've removed most visible growth. Most shrubs regrow substantially in the first season, looking acceptable by year two and attractive by year three. This is why we often stage heavy pruning over 2-3 years rather than shocking shrubs and homeowners all at once.
Pruning pricing reflects skill requirements and time investment. It costs more than trimming but is done less frequently.
Call for free assessment: 410-992-8680
Success depends on shrub species. Shrubs that regenerate from old wood (boxwood, holly, yew, privet, lilac, forsythia) can be cut back heavily and will regrow over 1-2 seasons. Shrubs that don't regenerate (most conifers, azaleas, rhododendrons) cannot be cut past green foliage without permanent damage. During assessment, we identify your shrub types and honestly evaluate renovation potential—sometimes replacement is smarter than expensive pruning unlikely to deliver results.
Light to moderate pruning looks acceptable within one growing season. Severe rejuvenation looks terrible initially but most shrubs regrow substantially in the first season, looking acceptable by year two and attractive by year three. This is why we often stage heavy pruning over 2-3 years. For properties being marketed for sale, severe pruning isn't recommended since recovery exceeds typical selling timelines.
Light maintenance is reasonable DIY. Substantial pruning—rejuvenation, structural work, renovation—benefits significantly from professional expertise. Pruning requires understanding where to cut, how much to remove, timing for different species, and recognizing when efforts are likely futile. Poor pruning creates lasting problems. For substantial projects, professional service usually delivers better results justifying the cost.
Proper pruning at appropriate timing rarely kills healthy shrubs. However, improper pruning CAN cause decline: removing too much at once, cutting at wrong time, pruning shrubs that don't regenerate from old wood, or stressing struggling plants. Healthy, vigorous shrubs tolerate heavy pruning well. Stressed or elderly shrubs may not survive dramatic pruning. We evaluate overall health before recommending approaches.
Pruning can manage poorly placed shrubs temporarily but isn't a permanent solution. Shrubs planted too close to structures require constant heavy pruning maintaining artificial size. This ongoing battle becomes expensive and frustrating. After years of heavy pruning, many shrubs decline or die from stress. The honest answer for badly placed shrubs is usually removal and replacement with appropriately sized varieties.
Varies by shrub type and goals. Flowering shrubs typically need annual pruning. Structural pruning may be needed every few years. Rejuvenation is done once to restore overgrown shrubs, then regular trimming maintains results. Many shrubs in good locations with proper initial training need only occasional pruning every few years. Regular light trimming prevents needs for frequent heavy pruning.
Don't let overgrown, poorly formed, or declining shrubs diminish your Ellicott City property. Professional pruning addresses structural issues, restores neglected specimens, and improves overall plant health through skilled selective cutting.
Our 39 years serving Howard County means we provide honest assessment and realistic expectations—whether pruning or replacement is the smarter solution for your specific shrubs.
Call (410) 992-8680 for AssessmentGreenlawn Inc
Phone: 410-992-8680
Service Areas: Ellicott City, Columbia, and all of Howard County, Maryland
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