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From: eac@drutx.UUCP (CveticEA)
Newsgroups: net.garden
Subject: Re: Advice on Pruning Shrubs
Message-ID: <148@drutx.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 21-Apr-86 16:51:27 EST
Article-I.D.: drutx.148
Posted: Mon Apr 21 16:51:27 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 23-Apr-86 21:31:39 EST
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>	I just moved into a house with well-established landscaping. I
>can't say I'm too thrilled with the landscaping (the former owners
>lacked imagination in this area; their idea of visual interest was
>strict symmetry), but I'm not ready to rip it all out, yet. My problem
>is that most of the shrubs and roses have been pruned horribly, and
>I'm not sure how to proceed. Should I prune them like I would a well-
>formed shrub, just thinning and cutting out the dead wood? Or should
>I get the ax? Or should I let them grow out some and then attack them
>with the pruning shears? (If you're curious, the shrubs all look like
>vases, even the poor forsythias, even a dogwood tree! Horrors! They
>all look just like the "don't" diagrams in the gardening books.)
>
>Sharon Badian
>ihnp4!mtgzy!seb

I wouldn't get out the axe yet.  From your description, if you shaped them
up too abruptly, all you would have left is leafless sticks.  Start
shaping them up gradually.  Thin and shape by the rules.  The roses
might benefit from a major cut back now, if they haven't leafed out yet.
Check the roses out carefully this summer.  To much neglect may have
left them 90% suckers, if this is the case, start over.

Betsy Cvetic
ihnp4!drutx!eac