Pruning & Deer Resistant Landscape
By Franklin
Laemmlen, Ph.D., Master Gardener
Q: When should I prune roses and fruit
trees?
A: Research on pruning has changed our
thinking about this activity. There are several times
during the year when it is appropriate to prune. Traditionally,
pruning of deciduous plants occurs when the plant is dormant or as dormant as
possible. That means, for roses and fruit trees,
December and January are the months to do heavy pruning for reshaping the tree
or bush and preparing for next years fruit or blossom crop.
However, research has shown that
fruit trees can also be pruned during the summer, usually right after harvest. Rose bushes can also be pruned in the summer. If this is done, especially in roses, buds will break dormancy,
and the plant will continue to grow. However, as you
might guess, flower production will be curtailed for a period of time. In fruit trees there will also be some regrowth,
if summer pruned, and you may need to do some touch up pruning in the winter.
If you prune during the summer, the
wounds you make will close (seal) very quickly as the plant is actively growing
and will quickly produce wound closing structures in active wood. The process of wound closure is slower when the plant is
dormant. In some situations, where disease organisms
are present which can attack wounds, summer pruning is recommended for the
above reason. Also in
In summary, fruit trees can be
pruned dormant or after harvest. Deciduous bushes and
shrubs can be pruned any time, but flower production will be disrupted. Light pruning or trimming can be done any time.
Authors Notes:
The following is some more
information about developing a deer-resistant landscape. The
following plants have been found to be avoided by deer except under starvation
conditions.
Perennials
·
Lavandula spp.
lavender
·
Herbs
mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme
·
Narcissus spp. narcissus and daffodils
·
Ornamental
grasses Miscanthus, Pennisetum, Panicum, Festuca, and Calamagrostis.
Annuals
·
Ageratum houstonianum
floss flower
·
Tagetes spp.
marigold
·
Zinnia spp. Zinnias
Trees
·
Acer palmatum
Japanese maple
·
Pinus sp. Pine
·
Picea sp.
Spruce
Shrubs
·
Pieris japonica
Japanese andromeda
·
Bamboos
·
Buddleia spp. Butterfly bush
·
Nandina domestica Heavenly bamboo
·
Kerria japonica
Japanese Kerria
·
Leucothoe fontanesiana Leucothoe
·
Kalmia latifolia
Mountain laurel
·
Nerium oleander
Oleander
Ground Covers
·
Pachysandra terminalis
Japanese
pachysandra
·
Vinca minor Myrthe
·
Galium odoratum sweet woodruff
Check these species for suitability
for planting in your climate and soil sites. Some may
not be suited to your situation.