Overcrowded plants often look leggy and they are usually more susceptible to attack from both insects and disease. In some cases plants will only need to be thinned, but in others it may be necessary to remove entire plants to relieve overcrowding. In some mature landscapes, tree death rather than growth may cause dramatic changes in environmental conditions. With a sudden ice storm or some strong wind, shade-loving plants that were once thriving in the shadows of a mature tree may be thrust into full sun. Don't try to baby plants that are ill-suited for a particular site, move them.
Late winter is a good time to do a little rearranging in the landscape.
Even if you live in the woods you may want to do a little tinkering with your landscape. Good forestry practice like removing undesirable species, diseased trees and spindly trees will help to improve the genetics of a woodland. It's also a good idea to prune out any weak or dangerous limbs that may be present. As landscapes age and mature, a little bit of maintenance will go a long way toward keeping everything looking good and functioning properly. Frank Henning is the Athens-Clarke County Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources, Georgia Cooperative Extension Service.