Trimming vegetation to impede illness propagation
Summer's the perfect time to prune plants, especially those prone to silver-leaf disease. This fungal infection lurks in damp conditions and loves entering through fresh pruning wounds. But fret not! The fungal spores are less active in summer, allowing pruning wounds to dry and heal rapidly, reducing the risks of infection. Let's dive into which plants you should focus on for a healthier garden.
Laurels - Cherry laurel and Portuguese laurel, both belonging to the cherry family, are at risk. Prune their current season's growth by one-third during the summer months. Learn more about maintaining your cherry laurel here.
Greengages - Young trees should be pruned hard in summer to establish a robust structure of branches. With older greengages, trim dead, diseased, and crossing branches, and snip back strong new growth to six leaves on the branch.
Rhododendrons - Though they require minimal pruning, it's important to perform it during the summer. Trim out crossing, weak, or dead branches, as well as any low-hanging branches that touch the ground.
Apricots - Regularly prune out weak, old, and crowded branches in the summer to maintain an open shape, ensuring an abundance of apricots.
Damsons - While damsons require minimal pruning, it's essential to cut back here and there during the summer to enhance the tree's appearance and avoid bleeding and disease.
Laburnums - Known for their stunning blossoms, laburnums should be pruned between August and mid-winter. Prune out damaged stems and those spoiling the canopy's appearance.
Plums - Like cherries and apricots, plums are susceptible to silver-leaf disease when pruned outside of summer. Prune old wood and crowded branches to create an open shape during the summer months.
Cherry Trees - To prevent silver-leaf disease, prune cherries in summer by cutting back new growth to just above a leaf and pruning sideshoots back by half. Check out this video tutorial by Alan Titchmarsh for more tips on cherry tree pruning and maintaining a healthy shape.
By adhering to these tips and proper pruning techniques, you can help your plants thrive while minimizing the risks of silver-leaf disease spreading. Happy pruning!
Incorporating science-based practices, focus on pruning cherry laurel and Portuguese laurel in summer, trimming one-third of their current season's growth. For both greengages and rhododendrons, summer pruning helps establish a strong structure and reduces medical-conditions like silver-leaf disease. In the realm of health-and-wellness for your garden, remember to prune apricots, damsons, and plums during summer to maintain vitality and prevent the spread of silver-leaf disease, while laburnums require pruning between August and mid-winter.