Pruning Basics for Evergreen Trees

Mature broad-leaved evergreens need little pruning, apart from removing any dead, damaged or diseased branches. These should be cut back either to healthy wood or removed entirely to the main stem. When young, their leaders should be trained upwards to establish a strong main stem from which a well-balanced framework may be created. Competing leaders should be pruned out, as should any badly crossing or rubbing lateral stems.

Other than when used for hedging, conifers, firs and pines usually only require basic, minimal pruning.