THIS IS A HAMMER

Pruning Tips

Q: I haven’t pruned many of my hedges and trees in several years, and some of them have grown wild and ragged-looking. If they’re past the blooming stage, is it safe to trim them? Also, any tips to make this task easier? — Carol in Oklahoma

A: Trying to tackle all of the shrubbery and trees in your yard can be daunting, even when it hasn’t been several years since their last pruning. The best thing to do is take an initial tour of your yard with notebook in hand. Mentally split the yard into several sections, and then note what needs to be done in each: trimming, pruning or even r...