Precision pruning, not just a trim

Every cut affects the plant's response and future form. We prune to the plant's natural growth habit, not into a shape that fights it.

Hand pruning of all ornamental shrubs to natural habit and proper proportion
Removal of dead, damaged, crossing, or inward-growing branches
Structural thinning to improve airflow and light penetration to the interior
Sucker and water-sprout removal on flowering shrubs and small trees
Ornamental grass division or shaping as needed based on species
All clippings and debris collected and hauled off the property

Our Approach

Pruned to the plant, not to a template

Box hedges and geometric topiary have their place, but most residential landscapes benefit from shrubs shaped to their natural habit. A viburnum should look like a viburnum. A spirea should arch. An arborvitae should taper.

Forcing plants into shapes that fight their natural growth requires constant intervention and often weakens the plant over time. We prune for health first and appearance second -- and the results tend to look better as a consequence.

Typical visit: 2 to 5 hours

Best timing: late spring or early summer after bloom

The difference between designed and overgrown

Better plant health over time

Proper pruning removes disease entry points, improves airflow that prevents fungal issues, and channels the plant's energy into healthy growth rather than maintaining crowded or dead wood.

Restores the design intent

Every shrub in your yard was placed for a reason. Pruning back to appropriate scale and proportion restores the visual relationships between plants, architecture, and paths that make a landscape feel designed.

Keeps plants in their space

Shrubs that encroach on walkways, windows, or the foundation create practical problems and visual clutter. Regular shaping keeps your landscape maintainable and your home's exterior visible.

See Ballpark Pricing

Select how many shrubs need pruning for an instant price range. Your official quote follows a free on-site visit -- no obligation.

How many shrubs need pruning or shaping?

Walk-around, pruning, cleanup

We assess before we cut

We walk the property and identify each shrub's species, health status, and appropriate form before making a single cut. Pruning decisions are made plant by plant.

Hand-prune to natural habit

We use bypass pruners and loppers for clean cuts that heal well. We do not use hedgers on plants that are not meant to be hedged -- a common shortcut that looks wrong and harms the plant.

Debris removal included

All clippings are collected and hauled off your property. You get the result without having to manage the cleanup.

Pruning FAQ

When is the best time to prune shrubs in Minnesota?

Timing depends on the shrub. Spring bloomers like lilac, forsythia, and spirea should be pruned immediately after bloom so you do not remove the next year's flower buds. Summer bloomers and most evergreen shrubs can be pruned in late spring or early summer. In general, avoid heavy pruning in late summer or fall -- it can stimulate new growth that will not harden off before winter.

Can you reduce the size of a shrub significantly?

Significant size reduction is possible but should be done carefully and sometimes in stages over multiple seasons. Removing more than one-third of a shrub's volume in a single season can stress the plant. If you have overgrown foundation shrubs that need to come back substantially, we will walk you through a realistic multi-season approach during your estimate.

Do you prune evergreens differently than deciduous shrubs?

Yes. Evergreen shrubs like arborvitae, spruce, and yew respond differently to pruning than deciduous plants. Arborvitae in particular cannot be cut back into old, bare wood -- it will not regenerate. We approach evergreens with this in mind and set realistic expectations during the initial walk-around if a plant has grown beyond what pruning can fix.

Is this different from what's included in a maintenance plan?

Light pruning and shaping is included in both our Essential and Premium maintenance plans during seasonal visits. If you have a particularly large number of shrubs or plants that need significant attention, a dedicated pruning visit may be more appropriate than relying on the time allocated within a maintenance plan visit. We can advise once we see your property.

Pruning & Shaping