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Pruning is defined as the manual removal of branches to alter a plants health and form.
It’s a term most often used when discussing the care oftreesand woody shrubs.
Since most home gardens include both, pruning is an essential task thats both an art and a science.
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Types of Pruning
The method you use when pruning depends on your final goal for the plant.
Directing Growth:Pruning helps train young trees and shrubs to develop a strong structure.
As a tree grows, the lower branches are often removed to gradually raise the crown of the tree.
Size Reduction:Reduction cuts decrease the height (topping) and spread of a tree or shrub.
Thinning:Removes branches on individual limbs to create even distribution throughout the crown of the tree.
Thinning enhances light penetration and is especially beneficial for trees and shrubs that grow quickly to inhibit overgrowth.
Raising:A selective pruning technique to remove low-hanging branches and provide vertical clearance for people or vehicles.
Pruning Equipment
Sharp, well-maintained tools will make pruning easier.
Principles of Pruning
While pruning removes plant material, it also stimulates and directs new growth.
Heavy pruning may cause the plant to produce excessive new, vigorous branches.
A good rule of thumb is to remove no more than one-third of a plant each year.
Over-pruning can cause excessive stress and excessive regrowth weakening the tree or shrub.
There are two basic types of pruning cuts, heading and thinning.
Heading removes the end of shoots or limbs and stimulates regrowth near the cut.
This results in thick compact growth and a loss of natural form.
Thinning removes the entire shoot or limb from the main branch or trunk.
It is the least invigorating key in of pruning cut and provides a more natural growth form.
The best time to prune depends on the bang out of plant.
Most thinning cuts are made when the plant is dormant.
Heading is usually done during a season of active growth.
It is essential to understand the pop in of plant you are pruning.
Pruning usually refers to making cuts that improve a plants health, structure, and fruit or bloom production.
Trimming refers to cosmetic cuts and focuses on maintaining the appearance of the plant.
Fruit and nut trees should be pruned yearly for the best harvest.
Trees that have overgrown their space require pruning every two to three years.
Yes, there are two methods.
One technique is a three-year plan.
In late winter, remove one-third of the largest, oldest stems at ground level.
Finally, in the late winter of the third year remove all of the remaining old wood.
This severe pruning will encourage a large number of new shoots to develop during the growing season.
Resume a normal pruning schedule in the following years.
