Rejuvenation pruning is the process of trimming back old branches and stems to promote the growth of new, healthier limbs, enabling the plant to thrive with fresher, stronger growth.
The main benefits of rejuvenation pruning include enhanced plant health, more vigorous growth, and improved flowering. While not all plants need this type of pruning, those that do often show remarkable results.
With the right technique, timing, and care afterward, you’ll quickly notice how vibrant your pruned plants become. Here’s a closer look at the process.
What is Rejuvenation Pruning?
Rejuvenation pruning is a method of cutting back old branches to help a plant grow new ones. Over time, plants can become too thick or weak and lose the ability to create new and healthy limbs. Once you remove the older stems, the plant gets a fresh start. This helps with better air circulation and sunlight exposure, which contribute to better growth.
Two types of rejuvenation pruning are:
- Hard pruning – cutting the plant back almost to the ground (not suitable for all plants)
- Gradual pruning – removing one portion of the old stems and branches at a time
Rejuvenation pruning is different from regular trimming or shaping. Maintenance pruning focuses on removing dead or damaged branches to keep the plant neat, while shaping pruning helps control how a plant looks. Meanwhile, rejuvenation pruning is a more dramatic method that encourages the plant to grow back stronger.
Benefits of Rejuvenate Pruning
Rejuvenate pruning does exactly what its name suggests. It rejuvenates older plants. Here are some of the benefits of this procedure:
- Improves Plant Health – By cutting away dead, damaged, or diseased branches, you prevent problems from spreading. This allows the plant to focus its energy on growing healthy limbs.
- Enhances Appearance – Over time, shrubs and bushes can become tangled, uneven, or too large. Rejuvenation pruning helps reshape the plant so it looks well-maintained.
- Boosts Flower and Fruit Production – Old, overcrowded branches can block sunlight and reduce airflow. This makes it hard for flowers and fruit to develop. Removing these branches encourages the plant to produce more blooms.
- Revives Aging Plants – Some plants slow down as they get older and start producing fewer leaves and flowers. Rejuvenation pruning encourages new growth.
With the right technique, it’s possible to reap all the above benefits for your garden without investing significant effort.
How to Rejuvenate Prune
The key to successful rejuvenate pruning is timing. The best time to do it is late winter or early spring before new growth begins. This allows the plant to recover quickly when the growing season starts. Here are the steps to follow:
Gather Your Tools
You’ll need sharp pruning shears, loppers, or a saw for thick branches. Always use clean, disinfected tools to prevent the spreading of disease. Then decide whether you need to do a hard or gradual prune.
Start Cutting
If you choose to do a hard prune, you need to cut the stems that are less than 1 and 3/4 inches in diameter. Cut them back to 6 to 12 inches above the ground. If you are cutting branches, do it at the base or near a health bud.
For gradual pruning, cut 1/3 to 1/2 of the stem once and then repeat it for two to three years in a row.
Take Safety Precautions
Always wear gloves to protect your hands from thorns and rough bark. Make sure to also use eye protection when cutting thick branches.
Get the Most out of Rejuvenate Pruning
Rejuvenation pruning can be an excellent maintenance technique. If you leverage the proper approach, you can easily turn old shrubs into young and flowering plants.
For more information about rejuvenate pruning and professional assistance, please contact certified arborists at American Arbor Care. We are here to help your garden thrive.