Pruning Evergreen Shrubs and Euonymus in Southern Illinois

When to Trim

Prune evergreens (yews, etc.) any time except extreme heat (90–100°F). Early spring before new growth or late spring after flush hardens are ideal. Euonymus ‘Emerald ’n Gold’ can be trimmed now; it’s a fast grower.

How to Prune

• Yews: Use electric/gas hedge trimmer for shearing; hand shears for detail. Maintain natural shape or formal hedge.
• Euonymus: Train as groundcover by pinning long stems to soil with landscape staples; they’ll root and spread. Trim upright shoots to keep low.

Tools

Garden scissors or bypass pruners work for small jobs. For larger hedges, powered trimmers save effort.

Dos & Don’ts

Do: Cut just above a bud or side branch. Remove dead wood. Clean tools between plants.
Don’t: Shear into bare wood (most evergreens won’t regenerate). Prune in freezing weather. Remove more than 1/3 of live growth at once.