SEPTEMBER 2016
  DORMANT PRUNING 
Why your property needs it.
  One of the best times to correct or improve the shape of your plants is during the winter!
Many people feel that once we enter the month of December, our landscape responsibilities get put on the shelf until the following spring. Based on the fact that leaves are shed and plants go dormant, it is believed that there is not much that can be done during the winter months. Although this dormancy period eliminates the need for weekly mowing and trimming, it opens up an opportunity to dramatically improve our landscape plants.

Dormant pruning involves selective removal or reduction of branches in our trees and shrubs. Many of our landscape plants are deciduous, which means they drop their leaves in the fall. This not only protects plants from the winter cold, but it allows us the opportunity to view the branch structure of these plants. The ability to see this inner branch structure gives us a perfect opportunity to do some “targeted” pruning. We can now decide exactly which limbs need to be removed or reduced and where to make our cuts. During their dormancy periods, plants are not stressed by this type of pruning and respond bountifully with beautiful new growth in the spring. There are typically two primary types of dormant pruning: rejuvenation pruning and renewal pruning.
  Rejuvenation  is cutting back the entire top of the plant to ground level. Although very dramatic, this type of pruning is essential when the size of the plant has exceeded the desired size or shape. After rejuvenation many new, healthy and vigorous shoots will grow from the base of the plant in the spring. These new shoots will mature and form the new plant structure. Plants that respond well to rejuvenation pruning include spirea, forsythia, privet, cotoneaster, honeysuckle, and some hydrangea varieties. Certain shrubs that regularly suffer from winter die-back of some or all above-ground stems may be safely rejuvenated to produce beautiful new growth. 
 


Renewal is the removal or thinning of old, overgrown stems or limbs. This is usually done over a period of two to four years. Approximately 1/3 of the older stems are removed each year enabling more light to reach the base of the plant and stimulate new growth.  This type of dormant pruning allows for the plants to maintain some of their size while promoting new growth over time. Spring flowering plants such as lilac and forsythia are usually pruned using this method because their flower buds have already been set for the spring flowering season. Renewal is also beneficial for plants that have been consistently sheared and have developed a dense outer branch layer.

       

Dormant pruning is one of the best horticultural practices to perform in your landscape. It can extend the life of many plants that may otherwise be considered for removal or replacement. It can bring new life to a tired and overgrown planting. Every landscape can benefit from some amount of dormant pruning. The amount of pruning needed is very site specific and depends on the plant varieties, size, age, and desired appearance. Not all plants can be renewed or rejuvenated. Certain evergreens and some older plants may be beyond pruning due to their growth habits. New plant selections or different varieties may be suggested in areas where it is more advisable to replace these plants.

Your landscape might benefit greatly from these dormant pruning procedures. If you have trees, shrubs, or hedges that you feel have grown too large or no longer fit in the spot they were planted, chances are they could benefit greatly from dormant pruning. This pruning must be done prior to the end of the plant’s dormancy period which is usually sometime in April.
  To view our video showing our crews in action, demonstrating the dormant pruning process, as well as a before and after example, click below.
NEWSBITE
The What, Why and When of
Grub Control

What - Grub control comes in 2 forms.   Preventative and Curative.  

Why - Every turf area has grubs but not all turf areas have a grub problem  

When - The preventative grub control such as Mach or Merit is applied around the end of July.  Curative treatment such as Dylox is applied August through October depending if grubs are doing damage. 

For more information, email us at info@BalancedEnvironmentsInc.com

OR

BALANCED ENVIRONMENTS, INC.

Corporate Office:
17950 W IL Route 173
Old Mill Creek, IL 60083
Phone: (847) 395-7120
Fax: (847) 838-6750
OLD MILL CREEK - LOMBARD - PLAINFIELD - CHICAGO - UNION GROVE, WI