There are many, many overgrown cedar 'bushes' (globe-type) in the local cemetery and they are so out of control that they are blocking out (and in some cases, pushing up) gravemarkers. It's early May (last frost is first week of June apparently) here in Ottawa and I am wondering if it would be safe to prune now. I know you can prune in Spring or Fall (for different purposes) for cedars but to reduce their size, would it be alright to do so now? I am a native B.C. gardener, not familiar with Ontario gardening...yet. These shrubs are seriously overgrown and obviously planted in a bad spot. Too late now...any advice?
Can't expect significant re-growth from cuts deeper inside the plant than the outer, still-foliated shell. This removes potential for significant size reduction without destruction of specimen.
What CAN I do? I obviously don't want to kill them (okay, that's not completely true....they're destroying everything...why oh why do people plant things so inappropriately...!) and don't want them to 'brown out'. Basically, I need to reduce their overall SIZE without making them hideous-looking. Details for pruning needed....
