What to prune in August?

August is a good month for the second hedge trim and for the summer pruning of stone fruit. The nesting season is drawing to a close.

In the garden in August

  • Trim the hedge a second time so it goes into winter looking neat.
  • Prune plums and cherries after harvest.
  • Shorten the long summer shoots of wisteria and kiwi.
  • Harvest early varieties of apples and pears.
  • In late August, plant evergreen hedges such as yew and holly.

In the wild

  • Heather turns the heathland purple.
  • Rowan berries and elderberries ripen.
  • Rose of Sharon starts to flower.

Trees and shrubs to prune

Hedges to trim

Pruning guide by plant

For each plant: when and how to prune, how much to remove and what it means for wildlife.

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