…… When to Prune Elderberry Bushes ?

[GenErik]

Wondering when to prune our elderberry bushes. We live in growing zone 7.
This is the 2nd year we've had them, we did no pruning the first 2 years.
From reading at different places I'm confused if it should be done in the dead of winter or early spring before shoots appear ?
Also, should it be pruned all the way to the ground or just the dead, weak or broken canes?
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks, Genny

 

[summerthyme]

I rarely pruned ours, but we didn't care about how they looked. But definitely remove any dead or broken branches. Elderberries are a bush, but they also spread by underground runners. I prefer a single bush... easier to pick, and also to cover to protect the fruit from the birds, so we'd remove any new growth that wasn't from the original plant... these baby plants can be transplanted for more bushes.

Summerthyme

 

[GenErik]

ST,
We've already had several runners and have placed them in pots with soil. We may plant them somewhere else on our property or give as gift/s.

Oh my, the birds do love the elderberries, don't they ?
What did you use to cover yours to keep the birds out and how did you do it (poles in the ground to hold the netting or just placed/laid on the bush ?
We have some netting and also shade cloth, but not sure if the shade cloth would be useful since the plants need sun.
Thank you,
Genny

 

[summerthyme]

Our problem on the farm was the damned English Sparrows would eat the berries GREEN!

We just used large bird netting squares and tossed them over the top. It discouraged the majority.. and the ones that tried to go underneath the netting were fair game for the farm cats.

Summerthyme