Elderberry, known for its beautiful white blossoms and dark berries, is a fast-growing shrub that can reach up to 7 meters in height. With proper care, it can flourish for years, offering not only ornamental value but also providing birds with nourishing fruit. Pruning is essential for maintaining its health, size, and fruit production. Here’s a guide on the best times and methods for cutting back your elderberry to encourage robust growth and an abundant harvest.
Best Time to Prune Elderberry
The ideal time to prune elderberry is in the fall, specifically after the harvest of the berries, typically in October. This timing ensures that the plant remains strong for the following year’s growth. However, pruning can also be done from late January to early March, before the plant starts its new growth cycle.
Pruning Techniques for Elderberry
Pruning involves two main techniques: maintenance pruning (also called thinning) and shaping. The goal is to remove old, unproductive wood, encourage healthy new growth, and shape the shrub or tree.
Maintenance Pruning (Thinning)
The most important part of pruning elderberry is removing older, woodier branches while keeping younger, one-year-old shoots. These younger shoots are typically thinner and have smooth, light-gray bark. Older branches, on the other hand, are thicker with rough, brown, corky bark.
In fall, focus on cutting back the spent branches that held the previous year’s berries. To promote healthy flowering and fruiting for the next season, leave about 10-12 of the most vigorous one-year-old shoots, preferably those starting low on the plant to ensure even nutrient distribution.
Shaping the Plant
For a balanced and attractive shape, leave the central leader (the main stem) as the tallest stem and trim back the surrounding branches to create a slight conical shape at the top. If you prefer a tree form, you can train the elderberry into a standard tree (Hochstamm). This method requires selecting a straight, strong young shoot to act as the trunk. Secure it with a stake for support.
Trim the top of the main shoot so that there are at least five dormant buds below the cut, which will sprout new growth in spring to form the crown of the tree. Remove any lateral branches below the buds. In the second year, trim these new shoots to leave about four buds per branch. Continue pruning the crown annually after the third year to maintain its shape and health.
Elderberry Varieties and Benefits
Elderberries are not only valued for their beauty but also for their ecological benefits. The blossoms attract pollinators like bees, while the berries provide vital food for birds. If you are considering planting elderberry in your garden, we recommend the ‘Black Lace’ variety, known for its deep purple leaves and black berries. These berries are perfect for making jams, syrups, or juices.
Conclusion
Pruning elderberry is crucial for its health, shape, and fruit production. By following these simple steps—pruning after berry harvest or during dormancy in late winter, maintaining strong one-year-old shoots, and shaping the plant into a tree or shrub—you’ll ensure that your elderberry continues to thrive and reward you with beautiful flowers and fruitful berries for years to come. For more tips on elderberry care, planting, and varieties, visit our in-depth guides and shop for quality elderberry plants.