Mother Nature Does Not Give a “Bleep” What You Want

Plants are going to grow the way they want to grow. Period. Every plant has a genetic blueprint, and it doesn’t care what we think it should look like. The goal is simple: work with the plant, not against it because when you wrestle with nature, YOU . NEVER . WIN.

As the industry begins selective winter pruning, we want you to know the tips and tricks that we follow!

The best thing we can do is start strong. Plant the right plant in the right place and give it enough room to grow the way it wants to. When we ignore that and try to force a plant into submission later, we usually pay for it with extra maintenance, poor structure, and a lot of unnecessary pruning.

When pruning is necessary, here’s what to keep in mind:

Any cut or break causes a response. When you remove the tip of a branch (the apical meristem), the plant basically freaks out and reacts, often in ways that aren’t very attractive. This is exactly why shearing is awful for most plants. It’s the landscaping equivalent of giving a supermodel a bowl haircut. Technically hair was cut… but no one’s happy.

Plants don’t have eyes and they don’t care what they look like. They’re not aiming for symmetry or Pinterest perfection. Letting plants be a little artistic—or even a little weird—usually leads to healthier, more natural growth. Pruning is a stress, and stressed plants go into defense mode, not growth mode. That’s why we always say: never remove more than one-third of a plant at one time.

Pruning Rules We Live By:

• Remove dead, diseased, and decaying branches first

• Prune after flowering, when applicable

• When possible, prune during dormancy (yes, evergreens are still active in winter)

• Avoid pruning when plants are already stressed (heat, drought, extreme cold)

• Make cuts just above a lateral bud

• Cut at a 30–45° angle so the plant can heal properly

• Leave the branch collar — never cut flush

• Avoid removing branches larger than 5” in diameter

• Never remove the central leader of a tree (this one’s non-negotiable)

Right now, most plants are dormant and leafless. This makes winter one of the least stressful times to prune, and it gives us the added bonus of being able to clearly see branch structure and potential issues. That’s why you’ll see our team out pruning even when it doesn’t look like much is happening.

One final (important) note: when it comes to trees, work with professionals who understand tree biology, not just “guys with chainsaws.” At M.J. Design, we partner with Ahlum & Arbor Tree Preservation, a trusted local arborist. National companies like Bartlett Tree Experts and Davey Tree also bring strong expertise to the table.

Feeling unsure about pruning on your own? Give us a call at 614-873-7333. Happy pruning and remember, Mother Nature is always in charge!

Extra Tip: If you must prune the same plant every year to keep it small, you planted the wrong plant in the wrong place. Start with the right plant, and pruning becomes maintenance not damage control.