During winter, trees and shrubs are in a sleepy dormant state, but every spring they wake up and bring forth another season of greenery and color. If you want the best-looking flora and fauna on your block, it's time to do some pruning. The best time is after the last frost and before the first bloom or blossom. You'll need three basic tools; pruning shears for small stems, long-handled loppingshears for larger stems and a pruning saw for big branches. For trees, improve shape and stimulate leaf growth by trimming branches back as much as two-thirds, and if a branch is more than 1-inch thick, seal the cut with tree paint to prevent disease. For shrubs, cut off old wood flush with the stem. If it's too full, thin it out, allowing light to reach new younger growth inside. If you have a shrub that's potted, here's a hint that's often overlooked. Every four to six years remove it from the pot and cut back exposed roots so it doesn't become pot-bound. Want your house to be a showplace all summer long? Start pruning now. And that's the On The House tip for today.