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Pruning guide · Tree
Sourwood: when and how to prune
Oxydendrum arboreum
Sourwood is best pruned in February.
| Pruning months | February |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Outside it |
| Flowering | July–August |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Sourwood: when to prune it?
It hardly needs pruning. If necessary, remove dead wood in February, in dry, frost-free weather.
What else to prune in those months? February
Sourwood: how to prune it?
- Cut out only dead, diseased, crossing and damaged branches.
- Keep the natural, graceful shape: do not shorten the tree.
- If you want a higher crown, remove the lowest branches gradually over the years.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: February.
- Never remove more than about a quarter of the crown at once. Better a little every year.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- The pruning months fall outside the nesting season (15 March–15 August), so you won’t disturb nesting birds.
- Sourwood flowers in July–August, when it attracts bees.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: A tree that has been pruned hard recovers slowly: keep to light cuts.
Nearby: related pruning guides
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.