Here are some steps for shaping up a shrub by selective pruning:
- Know what you're pruning. ...
- Get rid of dead wood. ...
- Make close cuts—but not too close. ...
- Remove conflicting or crossing branches. ...
- Respect the shrub's natural form. ...
- Control the size. ...
- Pause and check. ...
- Cut too much?
What tool is used to shape bushes?
1. Pruning shears (or pruners, clippers or secateurs) These are probably the most-used tool when it comes to pruning shrubs, flowers, vines, and small growth on trees. Pruning shears are hand-held and can cut branches and twigs up to ¾ of an inch thick.
How do you reshape overgrown bushes?
When pruning mature, overgrown shrubs, remove the thickest branches first. Cut them back to the base of the shrub to promote new growth. Hand pruners are useful for smaller branches. Some can handle diameters up to an inch, but long-handled loppers give you leverage to cut branches 1 to 2 inches in diameter.
