How to Prune an Evergreen With Sun Damage

Evergreen trees are susceptible to winter sun damage just like deciduous trees.

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Sun damage occurs on an evergreen primarily during the winter months. When the sun hits the trunk and branches of the tree, the inner tissue that makes up the living part of the tree, gets active, thinking that it’s time to start growing again. Unfortunately, once the sun goes away, the air cools too quickly and the tissue is damaged. This causes scorch-like marks on the trunk, and discolored and dead branches. The damage must be removed once springtime rolls around in order to keep the tree healthy.

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Set up the ladder at the base of the tree if needed. Check the tree or shrub for branches with dead (brown) needles and cracked and sunken oval-shaped patches of bark. These are sun-damaged sections that must be removed.

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Slice off the damaged branches in three steps. Make the first cut approximately 12 to 16 inches away from where the branch grows out of the trunk by chopping halfway through the bottom side of the branch at a 60-degree angle.

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Make the second cut from above the damaged branch, also at a 60-degree angle. It needs to be 1 to 2 inches past the first cut on the opposite side of the tree trunk and should slice fully through the branch.

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Chop the remaining stub of the branch off at a 45 degree angle. This cut needs to be just outside of the branch collar where the branch grows out of the trunk.

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Cut away the sun-damaged bark by slicing into the trunk of the tree with a knife. Remove an oval-shaped patch of the damaged outer layers until you see healthy greenish-colored inner tissue.

Tips & Warnings

Be careful in order to avoid getting hurt by the tree branches that you have just removed.

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ReferencesVirginia Tech; A Guide to Successful Pruning, Pruning Evergreen Trees; Susan C. French, et al.University of Minnesota; Protecting Trees and Shrubs Against Winter Damage; Bert T. Swanson, et al.Photo Credit Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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How to Remove Dead Leaves to Prune a Hard Frozen Hibiscus

Remove leaves from hibiscus plants in early spring.

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Hibiscus is a tropical plant that does well in all climates if you care for the plant properly. The tropical variety can withstand cold to about 40 degrees and then must be brought inside for the colder months. Continued exposure to hard freeze temperatures will kill tropical hibiscus. Hardy hibiscus can be wintered outdoors up to growing zone 5. Both types can be pruned in the spring for optimum summer growth and flowering.

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Don't remove leaves from a hardy outdoor hibiscus during the cold months. Even though the leaves are brown and dried, they will insulate the plant from freezing. Carefully pull brown or yellow leaves by hand from a tropical hibiscus before bringing it inside for the winter.

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Prepare tropical or hardy hibiscus for pruning in February or March by removing any remaining leaves. Brown and dried leaves will fall off the branch easily. Pull any remaining dried or brown leaves by hand prior to pruning.

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Clean and sterilize your pruning shears with alcohol-based hand cleaner or rubbing alcohol to remove disease-carrying organisms. Wipe the blades with the solution and wait about 15 seconds before cleaning it off and cutting.

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Cut branches back by about one-third, starting with the longest. Look for a leaf node or eye facing up. This is the direction the new growth will take. Prune after removing all the old leaves so you can easily see where the new leaf nodes are sprouting.

Tips & Warnings

Don't prune or remove leaves on hardy outdoor hibiscus until all danger of frost has passed.

To winter indoor tropical hibiscus, place the potted plant in a cool place such as a basement for the winter months where temperatures will remain above freezing. Water once a month. Bring the plant upstairs in March; remove any remaining leaves and prune the plant. Place in a sunny window and feed an acid-based plant food every other week. Put the plant outside in the shade during the day in the spring and gradually accustom it to full sun to avoid burning new leaf growth.

Ask your nursery whether your hibiscus is hardy or tropical to determine proper winter care.

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ReferencesUniversity of Washington Botanic Gardens: Elisabeth C. Miller Library; HibiscusHidden Valley Hibiscus: Pruning HibiscusPhoto Credit Ablestock.com/AbleStock.com/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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