Question: Can You Prune Evergreen Trees?
Answer: Evergreens such as fir, pine and spruce trees require little pruning, unless you want to control their size or improve their fullness. Other wise pruning is limited to removing dead branches.
The new growth on evergreens is referred to as "candles" because of the candle-like shape of the branch tips. Cutting the candles back halfway, before the needles unfold, will keep the tree more compact.
Candling should occur between late March and mid-May, depending on the area and the weather.
Don't try to prune once the needles have opened fully or you may end up with a misshapen plant, since these trees cannot replace their growing tips.
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