Burning Bush Pruning Tips

Burning bush responds well to almost any pruning regimen.

Burning bush is a highly adaptable plant known for brilliant red foliage in the fall. It tolerates almost any condition and responds well to pruning. Cut back old, untended burning bush to 6 inches above the ground. The shrub will regrow within two to three years, producing new bushy growth. Once renovated, prune it annually to maintain health and keep the shrub compact.

Hedges

Plant a row of burning bush plants and maintain them as a hedge. Prune them heavily in the spring to remove dead and diseased branches. Trim the tips back with pruning shears to create a manicured, formal look. Trim the tips every two to three weeks during the summer to keep the hedge looking neat, but stop pruning four weeks before the first expected fall frost. Late pruning encourages new growth, which will be killed by cold temperatures. Make the top of the hedge slightly more narrow than the bottom so rain and sunlight reaches the entire bush.

Control Size

Burning bush, even dwarf varieties, typically grow to 8 to 10 feet, but some may reach 20 feet or more. Prune the tree in the spring to remove dead and diseased limbs and any branches that are growing vertically or rubbing against each other. Remove 1/3 of the old wood each spring, allowing new growth to replace it. Trim back the tops of the bush by 1/3 each year, as well, to maintain a compact size.

Shape

Burning bush has a rounded form, but the plant takes a pleasing form when grown as a small tree. Remove all the lateral branches that are less than 5 feet from the ground. Cut main stems back to ground level, leaving only three or four of the sturdiest branches. Prune annually to maintain the tree's shape, removing any suckers or low-hanging branches.

Considerations

Burning bush grows in a variety of soil types and tolerates sun, shade, moisture, drought, salt and urban pollution. This adaptability has allowed the plant to naturalize in many woodland settings, where it may crowd out native plants. The sale of burning bush is banned in Massachusetts because of its invasive nature. It often grows much larger than homeowners anticipated. Plant burning bush in a large area, away from fields and natural woodlands. Choose other varieties, such as viburnum, chokeberry or hydrangea, if size is a concern.

References

• University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension; Burning Bush; Gerald Klingaman; 2008
• Terry L. Ettinger Horticulture Consulting: How to Prune Burning Bush

Resources

• University of Vermont Extension; Alternatives to Burning Bush; Leonard Perry