What to prune in July?

In July the trees are in full leaf. A good month to prune ‘bleeders’ such as birch, maple and walnut, and for the summer pruning of fruit trees.

In the garden in July

  • Prune bleeders (birch, maple, walnut) now: they lose much less sap at this time of year.
  • Summer pruning of apple and pear: shorten the long new shoots.
  • Trim lavender after flowering.
  • Water young trees in dry spells: a good soak once a week is better than a little every day.
  • Prune climbing hydrangea and wisteria after flowering.

In the wild

  • Buddleia attracts peacock and red admiral butterflies.
  • Blackberries and raspberries ripen.
  • Small-leaved lime flowers, a few weeks after large-leaved lime.

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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Laden…