Now is the best time to trim large limbs and branches on trees and shrubs.
Cut out all dead wood and crossing branches, then thin out some of the branches throughout the tree. Maintain a natural look.
Tree topping continues despite the best efforts of several educational programs. As you can see in this image the pruning wounds on the large branches that were “topped” never healed leading to significant decay. There are ways to reduce the height of a trees canopy without resorting to this pollarding. Avoid using non-professionals that just happen to stop by and tell you that your trees need to be “topped”. Only woodpeckers benefit from the snags that result from topping.
Proper tree pruning method for limbs larger than 2 inches in diameter:
- To prevent ripping the bark and damaging the tree, make the first cut on the underside of the limb 4 to 5 inches away from the trunk. Cut into the limb about 1/3 of the way through.
- Make the second cut on the topside of the limb 2 to 3 inches beyond the first cut and cut through the entire branch.
February is the BEST time to transplant boxwood. Boxwood are also relatively easy to dig. The roots are fairly shallow making for a nice transplant.
Prune roses back now for healthy plants during the growing season. Roses left unmaintained form massive messy plants during the summer. They can be cut back lightly in the summer, but keeping them looking fresh requires pruning in February into March.
Lawn Care:
Zoysia: Zoysia Never goes dormant so you can spray round-up on winter lawn weeds. You must buy an expensive weed killer just for zoysia lawns to rid the winter lawn weeds
Burmuda or Hybrid Burmuda- Feed Spray round up weed killer over entire lawn area. Burmuda sod is dormant and will not be affected by the chemical AT THIS TIME (February).
Remember to apply pre-emergents for weeds in beds or the lawn every 90 days for best results.
*Preen is best for homeowners.
Winter jasmine, camellia, Lenten rose, snow drops, paper bark maple, twig dogwood, winterberry holly, hawthorn, evergreens and conifers.
