Pruning at least once a year makes shrubs look better and keeps them healthier. While pruning rules that affect appearance are specific to each plant (for example, prune a forsythia in late spring, a rose of Sharon in late fall), those having to do with health are more general. You can prune dead or broken branches from a shrub at any time of year. To determine if a branch is dead, gently scrape the bark with your pruning shears to reveal the color underneath. Green or white means it’s alive; brown or black means it’s dead. Use sharp shears (to avoid crushing the wood, which can kill the whole branch), then make a cut about six inches into the live growth of the branch. Your cut should be angled, sloping away from the buds on the branch.
Pros Charge: $45 or more.
DIY Cost: About $40 (for pruning shears).