Pruning is the act of trimming or removing dead, damaged, diseased, or unattractive branches from trees and shrubs. The goal is to keep the plants healthy and maintain their shape. Proper pruning also promotes airflow, reduces insect infestations, and minimizes the risks of falling limbs.
When done properly, most types of deciduous (leafy) trees and shrubs require very little pruning. However, certain species respond better to moderate or severe pruning to control their mature size and/or shape.
If you’re planning to prune a tree on your own, be sure to check out the specific guidelines for that species before getting started. Some have special requirements (like pruning after blooming) or need to be trimmed at different times of the year, so be sure to do your research ahead of time.
It’s also important to keep in mind that it’s highly stressful for a plant to have its limbs removed. It’s not recommended to heavily prune a tree more than once per season, especially if it’s in the process of recovering from previous pruning. It’s best to prune only when the plant is dormant, usually in late winter or early spring.
Pruning techniques vary by plant, but there are two of the most common methods: pollarding and topping. Pollarding is a pruning method that involves regularly removing branches from the crown of the plant, often every other year, while topping is a more drastic form of pruning that can damage or even kill the tree if performed incorrectly.
Before starting to trim, it’s important to locate the branch collar (also known as the bark ridge) of each limb you want to remove. This juncture where the trunk and the branch connect contains specialized tissue that supports healing if the branch breaks off, so it’s important to make the cut away from this area. If this isn’t done correctly, the wound won’t close properly and may allow invading insects or diseases.
Next, use your thumb as a guide to determine how high you want to cut the branch. Hold your thumb out at eye level and slowly move backward or forward to find the point where the thumb is just past the top of the tree. This is the balance point and will help you avoid over-pruning or killing your plant.
Once you’ve found the balance point, it’s time to start trimming. Be sure to remove any dead or dying limbs first. This will make it easier to spot any others that need to be removed and will make the rest of your work go much more smoothly. Next, be sure to take the time to step back and look at the tree from all angles so you can get a good idea of how the final product will look. It’s also important to make sure that your cuts are clean and smooth, avoiding any ragged or stubby areas. Also, be careful not to remove too many limbs at once – this can cause uneven growth, and can lead to the death of the plant.
source https://treetechvictoria.wordpress.com/2024/09/19/pruning-tips/
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