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strong new shoots from the base. You may need to use long-handled loppers for more leverage if the wood is thick and tough.To rejuvenate old shrubs or coppice shrubs that are grown for the colour of their stems, hard prune all the stems down to 10cm - 15

. This will again cause sideshoots to grow and the plants can be given a final shaping and tidy up if necessary in early autumn. Box topiary, secateurs, sheep-hand shears, large scissors or garden shearsMay - August 20 minutes for each plantUse secateurs scissors

hedge thoroughly before trimming it to ensure there are no birds nesting within. It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built.Conifer hedgeElectric or petrol

in shape and involves pruning the soft, current season's growth before it has chance to become woody.Secateurslate-June - mid-August 50 minutes for medium-sized tree Cut back the leading shoots of each branch by half their length to encourage the production

to your garden.

Plum trees can be prone to silver leaf disease if pruned in winter, so cut them back in summer to encourage the development of bushy growth, which stops them becoming too large and unmanageable. Plum treeSecateurs June - July 20 minutesUse secateurs

Pruning roses keeps them in shape and encourages more flower growth and healthier plants. Cut weak shoots right back to promote stronger growth from the base.Rose bushSecateursautumn or spring20 minutesRemove dead shoots and the tips of stems

be tied in ready to flower next season. Rambling roseSecateursLong-handled loppers early July - early August 1 hour per rose (approximately)JuneCut back the flowered stems of rambling rose right down to the base of the plant. Alternatively prune back

-June - mid-August 1 hour (depending on size of plant)April - May Use secateurs to cut back all the long shoots that have been produced during the late spring and early summer. Make the cut just beyond the second or third bud from the base.AdamMake sure

in late-June or early July.Wisteria plantSecateurs String for tying-in if necessaryLadder if necessarymid-October - mid-March1 hourUse secateurs to cut back current season's growth back to two or three buds from the base. Cut just above the chosen bud