Think Before Pruning


Before Pruning Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden
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Desert Plants in locations suited for their mature size seldom need pruning. Thoughtful plant selection and placement eliminates the need to cut back a plant because it interferes with driveways, foot traffic or utility wires. Think about pruning as "corrective" or "preventive" and use the reasons to prune below to make your plant maintenance routine easier.
Reasons to Prune
Improve plant health and reduce hazards by removing branches that are:
  • dead
  • weak
  • diseased
  • crowded
  • crossed
  • damaged
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Reasons Not to Prune

  • Regular pruning eliminates blooms.
  • Healthy plants that are not pruned use less water than plants that are pruned frequently.
  • Each pruning cut creates an opening for pests and diseases.
  • Overpruning exposes bark tissue to sunburn and reduces foliage for photosynthesis.
  • Excessive pruning creates greenwaste for landfills.
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