Alright, guys, let’s talk about tackling that overgrown purple leaf sand cherry in my backyard. I’ve been putting this off, but it was starting to look like a wild beast, so today was the day.
First things first, I gathered my tools. I’m no pro, so I kept it simple:
- My trusty pruning shears – the ones with the bypass blades, you know, the ones that make a clean cut.
- A pair of loppers – for those branches that were a bit too thick for the shears.
- A simple saw.
- Gloves – gotta protect the hands!
- A big tarp – for throwing all the branches onto, makes cleanup way easier.
I started by just standing back and looking at the whole shrub. This is important! You want to figure out what shape you’re going for before you start hacking away. My sand cherry was basically a big, blobby mess, blocking the sun from my other plants. My main goal was to thin it out and bring back some kind of decent shape.
Then, I dove in. I started with the dead and damaged branches. Those are easy – just get rid of them. Snip them off right at the base, where they meet a larger branch or the main trunk. This already made a huge difference, letting in some light and air.
Next, I tackled the crossing branches. These are the ones that rub against each other, which can cause wounds and let in diseases. I chose the stronger-looking branch and snipped off the weaker one, again, right at the base.
After that, it was all about thinning out the overall shape. I stepped back frequently to check my progress. It’s easy to get carried away! I focused on taking out some of the older, thicker branches from the center of the shrub. This really opened it up and allowed for better airflow.
For the branches that were just too long and unruly, I didn’t just chop them off halfway. I followed them back to a point where they met another branch and cut them there. This looks way more natural than just leaving stubs everywhere.
I kept working my way around the shrub, taking my time and making sure I wasn’t taking out too much at once. It’s better to prune a little less than you think you should, you can always take more off later, you know.
Cleaning!
Finally, I dragged the tarp full of branches to my yard waste * my tools.
It took a couple of hours, and I was sweating, but man, it looks so much better! The sand cherry is still full and healthy, but it’s not a monster anymore. It’s got a nice, open shape, and the other plants are getting some much-needed sunlight. I’m calling this a win!
