What Are the Effects of Pruning Burning Bushes on the Root System?
The root system of a burning bush is not affected by pruning unless the plant has not had time to become well established. Burning bushes, also known as winged euonymus, are hardy landscape shrubs that frequently overgrow their assigned space. They can be severely pruned once established without harm. Does this Spark an idea?
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Types
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Burning bushes come in two varieties: a wild form that grows to as much as 20 feet high and wide, and a dwarf cultivar that grows to 10 feet high and wide. The dwarf cultivar is widely available at garden centers for use as a landscape shrub, and can be safely pruned after the first year of growth without damaging the root system.
Features
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Burning bushes are inexpensive, popular landscape shrubs that naturalize easily, that is, establish themselves easily where they are not indigenous, and can become invasive in some parts of the U.S. Regular pruning in the early spring helps control their aggressive growth and naturally large size. The name "burning bush" refers to their foliage, which turns brilliant red in the fall.
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Prevention/Solution
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Even a dwarf burning bush can take over an entire garden bed or push up against a foundation if the mature size isn't taken into account when the shrub is planted. Planting a burning bush inches from a foundation when it is small insures that pruning will quickly become necessary and tiresome.
Pruning Techniques
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Every spring prune away all dead and damaged branches. Thin interior branches to create good air flow. Shear or remove no more than one-third of the top burning bush branches until the desired shape is achieved. An established burning bush can be pruned completely to the ground if necessary and the root system will generate a new shrub.
Considerations
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Before planting a burning bush make sure it has plenty of room and don't prune the first year so the root system has time to take hold. Once the root system is established, burning bushes can be severely pruned without damaging the plant or the root system, but ideal pruning technique leaves two-thirds of the shrub intact.
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