How to Prune Overgrown Holly Bushes

by Alex Kountry
Updated on

If you have overgrown holly bushes, you may be wondering how to prune them. This guide will show you the proper way to prune your holly bushes so that they are healthy and look great.

How to Prune Overgrown Holly BushesCheckout this video:

Why prune holly bushes?

Overgrown holly bushes can be a problem for several reasons. For one thing, they can produce too much fruit, which can be a burden for the plant and make a mess on the ground beneath it. They can also block out sunlight from other plants nearby, and their dense growth habit can make it difficult to mow or walk through an area where they are growing. Pruning holly bushes helps to control their size and shape, and also allows you to remove any dead or damaged branches.

When to prune holly bushes

Pruning holly bushes is best done in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. You’ll have a better idea of the bush’s natural shape after the leaves have fallen off, and pruning at this time will minimize damage to the plant.

How to prune holly bushes

Pruning is an important part of holly bush care. It helps to encourage new growth, remove damaged or diseased branches, and improve the overall shape and appearance of the bush. If you have an overgrown holly bush, proper pruning can help to bring it back under control.

Select the right time of year

The best time to prune holly bushes is in late winter or early spring, before new growth appears. This will give the bush time to recover before the growing season begins. Avoid pruning in late summer or fall, as this can damage the plant and delay its growth.

Cut back the main stems

Holly bushes can become overgrown and unruly if they are not pruned on a regular basis. You can rejuvenate an overgrown holly bush by cutting back the main stems to about 12 inches (30 cm) from the ground. This will stimulate new growth and give the bush a neater appearance. Be sure to wear gloves when handling holly, as the leaves can be sharp.

Cut back side shoots

If your holly bush is getting too wide, you can head back the side shoots to reduce the spread of the plant. Cut back the side shoots to just above a leaf bud, using secateurs or shears.

Remove any dead, diseased or damaged wood

Pruning holly bushes is a necessary and important task to maintain the health and beauty of the plant. Follow these steps for how to prune holly bushes.

1.Remove any dead, diseased or damaged wood. This includes any branches that are growing into the center of the plant, as well as any that are crossing or rubbing against each other.

2.Thin out the bush by removing some of the older, larger branches. This will allow more light and air to reach the inner parts of the plant, promoting new growth.

3.Shape the holly bush by pruning it into a desired shape. Be sure to make cuts at an angle so that water will run off and not pool on the branch.

4.When pruning holly bushes, always use clean, sharp tools. This will help prevent infection and further damage to the plant.

After pruning holly bushes

Holly bushes are a common staple in many American yards. They are easy to care for and make a beautiful addition to any landscape. However, holly bushes can become overgrown and unwieldy if they are not properly pruned.

If you have overgrown holly bushes in your yard, don’t despair! With a little time and effort, you can get them back under control.

Here are some tips on how to prune overgrown holly bushes:

1. Start by removing any dead or dying branches. Cut these branches back to healthy wood.

2. Next, cut back any branches that are rubbing against each other or growing in an unnatural way.

3. Finally, trim back the ends of the branches to create a more polished look.

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About the author

Alex Kountry

Alex Kountry is the founder of HayFarmGuy and has been a backyard farmer for over 10 years. Since then he has decided to write helpful articles that will help you become a better backyard farmer and know what to do. He also loves to play tennis and read books

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