Photo: greffer.net, CC BY 2.5 · source
Pruning guide · Tree
Terebinth: when and how to prune
Pistacia terebinthus
Terebinth is best pruned in March–April.
| Pruning months | March–April |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in March–April |
| Flowering | April–May |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Terebinth: when to prune it?
Little needed. Remove frost damage and awkward branches in March–April, once the hardest frosts are over.
Terebinth: how to prune it?
- Cut frozen shoot tips back to healthy wood, just above a bud.
- Remove crossing or inward-growing branches to keep the crown airy.
- If you want a small tree, keep one or a few trunks and gradually remove the lowest side branches.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March–April.
- Never remove more than about a quarter of the crown at once. Better a little every year.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in March–April can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: The sap and resin are sticky and strong-smelling; wear gloves if you have sensitive skin.
Nearby: related pruning guides
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.