Pruning doesn't have to feel overwhelming. A simple three-step rule can help you cut with confidence and keep your plants thriving through every season.

The best time to prune depends on the type of tree. Spring-flowering trees (dogwoods, redbuds, ornamental cherries) should be pruned soon after flowering is over. These trees set flower buds in the ...

Even if your shrubs are looking a bit forgotten, fall pruning can damage new growth or remove future flowers. Don't prune these plants in October.