Hard Pruning Overgrown Red‑Tip Photinia

Late Winter Is the Window for Drastic Cuts

Thirty‑year‑old photinias at 25 feet can be reduced to 8 feet, but expect a flush of disease‑prone new growth. Best approach:

1. Cut back hard in late February.
2. Spray with fungicide (chlorothalonil or myclobutanil) from budbreak through June to suppress leaf spot.
3. In subsequent years, prune lightly in summer (dry weather) to maintain size and minimize disease.

Summer pruning normally produces healthier foliage, but severe renovation requires the late‑winter window.