Pruning Shortcuts for the Busy Gardener

Friends do n’t let friends prune without a reason . If you arepruningwithout a clean-cut thought of why , put down theprunersand walk away from the plant . Trees and shrubslived on this planet long before people pay valuable time to curve off their limbs , and they will be here for yr and year after we are gone . It is rightful that somecutting may facilitate a industrial plant ’s wellness , but it is equally true that if you do n’t know what you are doing and why you are doing it , then you are more potential tohurt the tree or shrubthan help it . Here are some basic principles behind the recitation of pruning and a few simple instructions to help oneself you make the right cold shoulder when pruning is needed . If you do n’t have the meter or solitaire to overstretch out a textbook every sentence pruning is actually necessary , the following tips should help you make expert pruning decisions without having to do hour of inquiry first .

Dive deeply into the art and skill of pruning in ourPruning Project Guide

When to Prune

Let ’s get something straight right off the bat . The safest fourth dimension to rationalize any woody plant is in the very other give or late wintertime after the fear of a hard frost is gone . At this time most disease that could infect a cut bow are dormant , yield the industrial plant a chance to heal before any infection can set in . If you are only clip once a year , this is the time to do it . If you want to ensure a better floral display , then you should time the upkeep clip according to when your woody institute blossom . For more help on determine the best timing , check out the flowing chart below .

3 Reasons to Prune

Pruning is sometimes done without a clean object lens ; you might just be doing it because you are “ say ” to . While there are many nuance to the practice , the grounds for doing so in the main fall into three category . If you are a little murky as to why you are pruning ( or if you could use a refresher ) , hit the interruption button and view these reasons first .

1. Control damage and prevent hazards

Dead , discredited , and pathological branch or stems ( envision ) are risky to your woody works and potentially to you and other people . When a plant is injured ( for whatever rationality ) , it is under stress and vulnerable to more trouble . believe of hurt as a welcome Master of Arts in Teaching for pests and diseases to place up store and circulate . And if we are talking tree tree branch , the job can also be dangerous for mass and property . Limbs fall , and when they do , they can decrease with sufficient force to kill or maim masses or to damage houses . Do not waffle to remove bushed , damage , or diseased limb , arm , and stems as soon as you notice them . This is the most of import principle of pruning . In the pillow slip of large or difficult - to - access limbs , however , have a professional remove them for you .

2. Manage habit or guide growth

This is the place where many the great unwashed go incorrectly when pruning . Plants have a particular way they want to originate . take a plant that will of course fit the place you want to fill is important . by and large speaking , pruning is a way to lightly guide and accentuate the natural strain of a flora , not to make it into something it is not . sporadically pruning to remove an oddball wayward branch or stem , to refreshen a wild or tired bush , or to limb up and showcase beautiful tree - trunk structure or barque is a handy path to tweak growth to your advantage . But if you find yourself in a constant battle to keep your industrial plant ’s size in hitch ( envision ) , you do n’t need pruners — you require to plant a different Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or bush . The exception to that advice , of track , is if you have committed to having a Department of Labor - intensive hedge , topiary , or some other mellow - maintenance feature .

3. Improve plant health, vigor, and production

Many woody works grow better if they are periodically pruned . This eccentric of maintenance or rejuvenation pruning allows additional light transmission into the canopy and interior growth , better strain circulation ( which reduce the probability of disease ) , and resultant role in the plant direct its resources to the arm and stems that remain after it has been lop . In many instances , selectively and judiciously removing some old emergence for stimulate fresh , novel increment can transform an one-time , tired - front plant ( see ) into a garden centrepiece and increase flower production ( on flowering plants ) . Likewise , this character of pruning can regenerate the growth of shrubs and canes and hike up yield production of yield tree .

Rules to Prune By

Though you may discover all sort of rules on the net and in rule book for how to prune , there are some fundamental technique and strategies that will give you a solid starting place . From exactly where to make cut to choosing the correct creature for the job to ways of approaching maintenance pruning , consider or refamiliarize yourself with these crest the next time you ask to prune . And if you find you have made a pruning blunder , do your best to correct it ( if potential ) ; however , do n’t fret too much , and learn from your fault . Most healthy plants are incredibly forgiving and can recover in sentence .

Make well-placed branch and limb cuts to prevent problems later

Leave no counterfoil .

When pruning small offset or prow , avoid burn in the centre of the branch / shank and leaving a butt . counterfoil are unattractive and will likely die , leave an entry point for disease and insects . Instead , cut back to a salubrious bud ( A ) , a lateral branch ( barn ) , or the main trunk ( C)—or to the priming in the case of multistem shrubs . Cutting back to a bud will lead to new stem rise around the cut ( from the nearby buds ) . If that is not desired , it is good to move out the offset or halt entirely .

Keep the branch collar .

When you are to the full removing tree limbs , avoid moneyed cutting — the practice of remove the branch neckband . A loaded cut result more of the tree diagram ’s vascular system break , which allows diseases to enter the tree diagram more easy . A flush - cut wound will also close more easy and leave a larger cicatrix than a cut made at the branch collar . You do n’t want to leave an unsightly ticket stub either ; cut just outside the arm neckband is the unspoiled fix to place the final cutting off .

Maintenance prune in two ways to rejuvenate multistem shrubs

Thin to retain functionality .

Over fourth dimension , older multistem shrubs can become unproductive and appear unattractive with an teemingness of large , crowded stems and impenetrable twiggy growth . The safest way to rehabilitate your shrub while retain its basic shape and functionality in your garden is to thin it . Do so by removing about a third of the shrub ’s major stems per year over the course of three years . The cuts should be made about 6 inch to a foot from the ground and mighty above a bud if potential .

Chop for a fresh start .

Old , run - down , and unsightly multistem bush may be capable to be rehabilitate using a more aggressive approaching — a full chopper or removal of all the stem back to about 6 inches from the ground . It sounds scary , but you will be storm by how speedily your bush rebound by sending up novel , more vibrant stem . However , be mindful that , although it happens seldom , some shrubs may be too debile to rebound .

Choose the right tool for the job

As with all aspects of horticulture , there is an array oftools available for pruning . prefer the ripe blade for the problem will make the chore much easier . Here are some general rule of thumb for choosing your cutting off implement . It is also a good idea to check the manufacturer ’s specs for the size of it branches a finical tool is design to hack .

Determining When to Make the Cut

If you rule that all these pruning rules are tough to keep straight , expect yourself the following interrogative .

Deciduous spring bloomer (or blooms on old growth)

These woody plants bloom in spring or early in the first one-half of the gardening time of year from flower bud that formed in the previous year . They are best pruned right after flower to ensure that new maturation that appears after pruning this season will create prime buds for next year . Plants that come down into this family include the following :

2 . Forsythia . pic : Michelle Gervais

3 . Lilac . Photo : Jennifer Benner

4 . Magnolia . pic : Jennifer Benner

Deciduous summer bloomer (or blooms on new growth)

These woody plant bloom in summer or late in the second half of the gardening time of year from flower buds that formed in the current year . They are best trim in late winter or early natural spring before new development ( which produces the current year ’s blooms ) appear in spring . Plants that shine into this class admit the following :

2 . Summersweet . Photo : Michelle Gervais

3 . Rose of Sharon . pic : Michelle Gervais

4 . Panicle hydrangea . picture : Michelle Gervais

Evergreen

This is a complex group . coniferous tree rarely , if ever , necessitate care pruning . Broadleaf and narrow - leafage evergreen may require an occasional snip in spring after the threat of hoarfrost has pass off ( nonflowering plants ) or after bloom ( flowering plants ) . Plants that fall into this broadleaf and narrow - leaf family admit the following :

Prune after last outflow frost

1 . Boxwood . exposure : Michelle Gervais

2 . Holly . picture : Jennifer Benner

1 . Camellia . Photo : Jennifer Benner

Prune after flowering

*Invasive Alert:

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)

This works is considered invasive in TN and WV .

Please visitinvasiveplantatlas.orgfor more selective information .

Jeff Gillman , Ph.D. , aFine Gardeningcontributing editor and the author ofThe Truth About Organic Gardening , is the director of the University of North Carolina Charlotte Botanical Gardens .

pruning

Photo: Danielle Sherry

example : Jessica Daigle

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