How to Thin Evergreens

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Evergreens are lovely trees which can add greatly to the beauty of a neighborhood or garden. But evergreens that go unmaintained can grow wild, blocking out all natural sunlight . Unfortunately, pruning away dead branches can only do so much. To that end, thinning your evergreens can help to provide a much more open, informal effect.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Tree Trimmer

How to Thin Evergreens

Step1

Thin the branches. Thin out any branches that appear too big or too small, or any that are twisted or damaged. Try to balance the tree, while maintaining a healthy appearance. You should also avoid too many opposite branches. Instead, aim for a natural sense of irregularity.

Step2

Cut the side branches back, so that the tree assumes its desired width. Depending on the situation, the branches can extend a little wider than the trunk itself or as wide as they can manage. Cut the top, or allow it to grow taller, depending on the position.

Step3

Thin out the resulting new growth to a fork, which encourages horizontal branching.

Step4

Develop the branches over the years, working towards a natural fork and zigzag effect.

Step5

Prune your evergreen twice a year: once in Summer and again in Autumn. Most of the new growth should be removed, while leaving behind a few new leaves at the end of each branch.