Maintaining a clean, healthy landscape in Southwest Florida takes more than just mowing the grass—it’s about keeping trees and hedges trimmed at the right times throughout the year. When done properly, pruning not only improves the appearance of your property but also promotes stronger growth and reduces the risk of damage during storm season.
So, when is the best time to prune?
Let’s start with trees. In our subtropical climate, the ideal time to prune most trees—especially native and ornamental varieties like live oaks, mahoganies, and crepe myrtles—is late winter to early spring, typically from February through April. During this period, trees are just starting to come out of their dormant phase, making it easier for them to recover from cuts and push out new, healthy growth.
Pruning before hurricane season is also a smart safety move. Removing weak or damaged limbs ahead of the summer storms helps protect your home and yard from falling branches when the winds pick up. And by trimming early in the season, you also reduce the chances of pest infestations and disease, which tend to spike in warmer, wetter months.
As for hedges, timing is a little more flexible. Fast-growing hedges like ficus, viburnum, or podocarpus benefit from routine trimming year-round, but your most effective pruning will happen in early spring and again in late summer. Spring pruning shapes the hedge just before the big growth spurt, while a late summer trim keeps things neat as growth slows down heading into fall.
If your hedges flower, the timing becomes more specific. For example, if a plant blooms in spring, wait until after it flowers to prune so you don’t accidentally cut off the buds. For shrubs that bloom in summer or fall, late winter or early spring pruning is usually best.
One important tip: avoid heavy pruning during the peak of the rainy season (typically June through September), as this can stress plants and make them more vulnerable to disease. Similarly, late fall pruning should be kept light, so plants aren’t left exposed going into cooler weather.
At Show’N’ Go Lawn Services, we take pride in knowing when and how to prune every type of plant common to Southwest Florida landscapes. Whether you’ve got towering palms, ornamental trees, or lush privacy hedges, we’ll keep them trimmed and looking their best without risking their health or growth.
Need help deciding what to trim and when? Let us take the guesswork out of it.
Reach out to Show’N’ Go Lawn Services today and schedule a professional pruning. Your landscape will thank you!
