Question What time of year can we prune acuba. Ours are growing long stalks We live in S/W NC. Thanks
AnswerI'm not a horticulturalist, but, I think I may be able to help you with this question.
Most evergreens can tolerate severe pruning at whatever time of year. However, the best time is late winter to early spring (for moderate to heavy pruning). The least favorable time for Aucuba is June and July. The stalks can be cut back well into the canopy. Or, for general pruning shorten the plant by cutting back to a pair of buds or just above a leaf joint.
Rule of thumb: Prune after the landscape feature of your plant has passed. Not sure if you have a berry producing aucuba. If you do, then a good time to prune is right after the berries have passed (most likely in November).
Good luck :-D
