How to Prune a Cranberry Bush

Prune your cranberry bush.

A cranberry bush is a thick plant that can grow to be about 12 feet tall. These plants are ideal to create natural borders and walls around a property. The American cranberry bush produces fruit that is edible off the branch while the European cranberry bush produces tart and sour fruit, which can be made into jams. One of the advantages of the cranberry bush is the minimal pruning you have to do to maintain it.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning scissors
• Hedge clippers
• Rake

Instructions

1. Cut away dead or damaged branches on a regular basis. Use pruning scissors or hedge clippers depending on the size of the branches. Since the bush is thick, check the inside, near the center, on a regular basis for dead or damaged branches.

2. Cut less than a third of the bush back for shape and size after flowering in the late spring. Use pruning scissors or hedge clippers depending on the size of the branches. Get inside of the bush to trim for a natural look.

3. Rake thoroughly around the bush to remove any trimmings or leaves. Dispose of the debris.

References

• Kemper Center For Home Gardening: Viburnum Opulus Var. Americanum
• Backyard Gardener: Viburnum Trilobum
• Garden: Plant Care Guides