I ’m not a double-dyed nurseryman . In fact , I ’m glad that most people reading this do n’t know where I populate . My landscape gardening , while better , does n’t yet fit up to the practices I write about . But after detect inadequate pruning practices by several landscape professionals , I feel less shamed and thought that an article discussing good pruning practices could help many of us . In the first representative , VDOT indiscriminately topped and side sheared the white pine that adjoin our neighbourhood incoming , mark an otherwise appeal roadside border . Then , a landscaper square off a neighbour ’s pretty forsythia hedge that had previously feature the naturally wholesale shape of the bush ’s cane . Finally , a tree service pruned a neighbour ’s oaks in August , despite numerous oaks in the area dying of oak tree wilting and apparently not understanding that exposed wounds during active growth menstruation bring susceptibility to fungal disease . So , if the “ pros ” are using such poor practices , maybe a brief sum-up of good technique is in order . This article will outline pruning ’s importance , summarize basic technique , put up calendar for pruning specific plants , and quote references for reader to go profoundly as needed .
Why Prune ?
There are several reasons to prune trees and shrubs :
Tools
Pruning is broadly soften down into three social class of plant : shrub , deciduous trees and evergreen Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . While techniques vary , the tools used overlap .
The illustration above testify a crown of thorns department of basic pruning hand peter . Ahand pruner , dress shear , pruning power saw , and compounding sawcomprise a nice starting point . Hand prunersare good for offset to about ¾ ” in diameter . Scissor action designs are preferred since they fleece both side with less crushing than anvil or snatch make out purpose . Ratchet action pruners are also available to bring home the bacon a mechanical advantage that reduces manus force needed for a given stinger . Lopping shearshave more leveraging and are generally the best-loved tool for cuts up to 1.5 ” in diam . Above this sizing a saw is necessary . curtain call sawscut well but their form can make it difficult to get into squiffy spaces , so a lower profilepruning sawis a necessity . Combination pole see prunersare enceinte for reaching high arm , offering both clipper and proverb . Chain sawsare also used for big work by those with the angle of inclination . Hedge shears , like the manus shear shown above , or powered , are probably the most ill-treated instrument in the kit . Generally , they should be used meagrely , mainly for soft aesthetical improvements , without submit to the enticement to shear shrubs into uniformity .
Fundamental Pruning Techniques
There are two canonic pruning swing that are used across all classes of plants to remove healthy increment :
In either case , the gash should be made tight to the bud or attachment point in time to minimize stubs which die back and can provide launching point for pests or diseases .
When cutting back shoot or subdivision that are numb or diseased , make the cut at the ramification apprehension , the thickened section where the ramification joins the trunk , or on healthy tissue . This assures that diseased parts are all removed and prevents further dieback . Clean and disinfect the cutting prick between cuts with Lysol , Listerine or rubbing alcohol . Pine- Sol and whitener are not recommended because they are corrosive to tool .
Pruning cuts should be made at an slant of about 45 degree to the branch . Also , when cutting back to a sidelong leg , as in the thinning cut illustration above , the lateral branch should be at least half the diameter of the offset being polish off .
Shrubs
In worldwide , understanding and encouraging the natural growth use of a bush should conduct pruning practice . Shrubs can have mound ( for example evergreen azalea , spirea ) , cane ( e.g. forsythia , nandina , wintertime jasmine ) or tree - alike ( e.g. witch hazel tree , rhododendron , crape myrtle ) increase drug abuse .
The important matter to understand is that heading cuts , where a terminal bud is prune off , render thick new growth at the new end of the limb . When a bush or hedging is shear , withdraw many concluding bud , new increase flourish at the extinct perimeter of the shrub , allowing less light to reach the interior , lead in a hollowing of the Department of the Interior .
Thinning cuts are usually the preferable technique . For mounding and tree - like plants this means cutting at a lateral bud ( a above ) , lateral branch ( b above ) or outgrowth collar ( coulomb above ) . Do n’t leave stubs . For sack varieties it think of cut former interior cane at basis level , allowing younger growth to flourish .
Shearing can be tempting to even out perimeter maturation , but it is a short - term result that leads to longer term issues . substantially to practice thinning cuts on old development from the Interior Department . Shrubs may not take care as neat immediately after pruning is complete , but they will maintain a natural shape and be levelheaded in the long run .
refilling pruning is recommended for former and overgrown shrubs . This intend cutting plants back to 6 - 12 inches above the undercoat in early outflow when new ontogenesis starts . By mid - summer , when new growth is 6 - 12 column inch long , trim the bakshis at a sidelong bud , as in ( a ) in the illustration above , to advance new sidelong growth and a succinct shape .
Deciduous Tree
Good deciduous tree - pruning practice includes a assortment of measure :
Two techniques used chiefly for deciduous treesdeserve mention :
If a outgrowth is being removed , cut it at the collar , the slightly swollen area at the connection point of branch to trunk . Do n’t cut flush with the trunk . Do n’t leave a stub . A right cut at the leash will heal and forge a protective callus quickly , without further treatment or sealer .
Heavier branches , that will be unsupported during the cut , should becut in three movesas instance above :
This three - move technique prevents disrobe off bark or buck wood that may leave the tree susceptible to pests or disease .
Evergreen Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree
evergreen plant are grouped by offset arrangement :
evergreen plant tree incline to have a single impregnable leader and typically want little pruning :
Timing : When to Prune
It is important to empathise a few canonical rules touch when to prune :
The pursue linkup providepruning calendarsfor many specific plants , so if you ’re wondering about when to clip a special bush or tree , you ’ll regain these very helpful :
A aware undertaking
Pruning can be viewed as just another garden task . Or , it can be seen as a thoughtful , even artistic physical exercise . Pruning for works health , sweetheart and social occasion can be very satisfying horticulture work for those of us who enjoy the aesthetics of sympathetic landscapes . I hope that the principle and guidance offer in this clause makes pruning a more effective and satisfying activity for all who read it .
Sources :
The Virginia Master Gardener Handbook , Chapter 11 , 2015 edition .
The Garden Shed , “ When To Prune ” , Cleve Campbell , March 2017 Vol . 3 No . 3
A Guide to Successful Pruning , Pruning Shrubs , VCE Publication 430 - 459
A Guide to Successful Pruning , Pruning Deciduous Trees , VCE Publication 430 - 456
A Guide to Successful Pruning , Pruning Evergreen Trees , VCE Publication 430 - 457
A Guide to Successful Pruning , Pruning Basics and Tools , VCE Publication 430 - 455
A Guide to Successful Pruning : Stop Topping Trees , VCE Publication 430 - 458
Pruning Ornamental Plants in the Landscape , Univ of Georgia Extension , Bulleting 961
Hand pruner photo:“pruning SS 001”byShepherd’sDogis licensed underCC BY 2.0
shear forsythia photo:“Spring is here!”byfotobydaveis licence underCC BY - NC - ND 2.0
Natural forsythia photo:“20090411-_IGP9311”bydanieldanyelsis licence underCC BY - NC - SA 2.0
