Timing is everything in gardening! We prune shrubs and small trees (up to 15′) at three times of year: Early Spring, Summer and Late Fall.

We usually start by removing diseased, weakened and dead wood along with excess growth.  Our artistic eye looks for the “inner plant” and works next to reveal the natural form and beauty of each specimen.

Pumpkin Brook follows the Northeast Organic Farming Association’s Organic Land Care Standards for pruning. We also follow Best Management Practices recommended by the International Society of Arborists, the ANSI A300 Tree, Shrub and Other Woody Plant Management – Standard Practices (Pruning).

Summer rhododendron pruning is a team project

When pruned early in the season, Clethra, Hydrangea and Smoke Tree can co-exist in tight quarters

Ladders and reach pruners come out for Trumpet Vine

Martha studies her next cut

Reducing spread of a climbing hydrangea. Lee Gadway photo.

Summer pruning of an overgrown golden chamaecyparis

Dormant pruning of Yew

Dormant season pruning of crabapple

Overgrown magnolia gets a summer thinning


Reese cleans up deadwood in a newly established shrub