Shrubs in the front yard can grow very large and block windows around Yakima, WA. Yakima landscaping experiences heavy summer heat and cold desert nights, which causes bushes to grow in unusual directions if they are not maintained. Yakima Tree Service receives many questions from homeowners about what to cut, when to do it, and how to keep plants healthy. These questions are addressed frequently throughout the week.
When is the best time of year to trim bushes in Yakima?
Most deciduous shrubs should be trimmed in late winter or early spring before they start growing again. The plants are dormant at this time, which means they will not experience stress, and the branch structure is visible without leaves blocking the view. Spring-flowering shrubs like lilacs need to wait until right after they finish blooming, otherwise the flower buds for the year will be removed. Trimming lilacs in February will prevent them from blooming in the spring.
How low can I cut my overgrown hedges without killing them?
Do not remove more than one-third of the total volume of the plant in a single season. Massive woody privets or overgrown arborvitaes can cause frustration, but they should not be chopped down to knee-height. Heavy rejuvenation pruning can shock a shrub to death, especially in the dry climate of Yakima, WA. If there is a massive wall of green that needs a severe lowering, step the process down over two or three years so the plant can recover safely.
Why do the insides of my evergreen bushes look totally dead and brown?
That is usually a light starvation issue. When shrubs become too dense and bushy on the outside, sunlight cannot reach the interior branches. Without light, the inner needles and leaves naturally drop off. Once they go bare inside, new green growth will not grow back out of that old bare wood on most conifers. Regular and light shaping is much better than letting a bush turn into an overgrown plant for five years.
Should I worry about Yakima winter winds splitting my shrubs?
Yes. Fierce windstorms sweep through the valley, especially down off the ridges and out toward Gleed. Multi-stemmed shrubs like junipers and large spreading yews catch the wind like a sail and can split down the middle where the stems meet. If a multi-stem bush starts to lean or looks loose at the base, tying it gently or giving it a thinning cut to let the wind pass through will save it from splitting apart.
Is it okay to trim my shrubs during the peak of Yakima summer?
Heavy trimming should be avoided in July and August. Yakima summers get very hot and dry, and fresh cuts act like open wounds that lose moisture quickly. If a bush is sheared during a 100-degree heatwave, the outer leaves will scorch and turn brown very fast. Keep trimming light in the summer with quick tip-pruning for stray shoots, and save the heavy work for the cooler shoulder seasons.
How much clearance should I leave between my bushes and the house?
Give your siding at least two feet of breathing room. When bushes hug the wood, they trap moisture against your house, block airflow, and give pests a path straight into your walls. In addition, it makes painting or washing the siding very difficult. Keep those shrubs trimmed back so you can comfortably walk between the plant and your foundation in Yakima, WA.
Yakima Tree Service provides shrub trimming and Tree Service for homes in Yakima, WA. A clean and well-trimmed yard makes the whole property look better and keeps your plants healthy for 15 to 20 years or more.