When to prune black chokeberry shrub - Ask Extension
When can I prune my black choke berry shrubs? I’d like to prune off the top third, so the shrub looks less leggy. Will it harm the shrub if I do tha...
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When to prune black chokeberry shrub #873291
Asked June 16, 2024, 7:38 AM EDT
When can I prune my black choke berry shrubs? I’d like to prune off the top third, so the shrub looks less leggy. Will it harm the shrub if I do that and can I do that now before the berries ripen? My ultimate goal is to have thicker less leggy shrubs. I pruned them last year - removing lots of stems near the base so the shrub would get Fuller near the base and less leggy. But I left some of the tall stems for privacy from the street. There are berries on the bush that have not ripened yet. The shrub is empty near its waistline in the middle. Lots of legginess. I Don’t care if the shrub does not produce berries this year or in upcoming years. Thanks!
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
You can prune them now but they will not flower again this year. They should flower again next year.
