Which group of plants typically does not tolerate severe pruning?

Narrowleaf evergreens and boxwoods are known for being sensitive to severe pruning. Boxwoods, for example, can be quite forgiving of light trimming, which helps maintain their shape and promotes healthy growth. However, if they are subjected to severe pruning, they can suffer significant stress and may not recover as effectively, leading to sparse growth or even dieback in some cases.

Similarly, many narrowleaf evergreens, such as junipers, have specific growth habits that don’t respond well to aggressive cutting. They often rely on their natural shape, and when overly pruned, they can become vulnerable to diseases or pests and may not regenerate new growth from older wood.

In contrast, other groups of plants have abilities to rebound from severe pruning due to their growth characteristics, such as producing new shoots from old wood or having more robust regenerative capabilities. This resilience is not as prevalent in narrowleaf evergreens and boxwoods, making them particularly susceptible to damage from heavy pruning practices.