Basic Gardening – Pruning
Pruning your trees, shrubs and plants can be beneficial for almost all landscapes. Pruning is done primarily for the following reasons:
1.Promote flowering
2.Promote higher fruit yield
3.Improve the health of trees, shrubs and plants
4.Improve aesthetics / appearance
5.Control growth
6.Maintain a desired shape
7.Removal of dead, damaged, diseased, and infested limbs
The number one mistake most people make when pruning is pruning at the wrong time. Before you start pruning be sure it is the proper time of year for your area and the tree, shrub or plant you want to prune. If you are not sure what time of year is best contact your state Cooperative Extension Service (County Agent). Failure to prune at the right time of year can prevent flowering, weaken the plant and stunt growth and even cause death.
We offer the following information only as general guidelines.
Non-flowering evergreen trees should be pruned once a year in the early spring as undesired new growth appears.
Deciduous trees and shrubs (those that loose their leaves) should be pruned once a year. This should be done primarily in the winter when they are dormant and before spring buds appear.
For most spring-flowering trees and shrubs pruning should only be performed immediately after they have flowered. Next years flower buds will form on this years new growth, so pruning later will result in you pruning off the buds and they will not have time to reform before winter. Some example of this are: Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Indian Hawthorn, Redbud, Japanese Quince, Fringe Tree, Forsythia, Honeysuckle, Rambling Roses, most big-leaf Hydrangea, Bradford Pear, Clematis, Climbing Roses, Dogwood, Flowering Cherry, Lilac, Oak-leaf Hydrangea, Saucer & Star Magnolia, Weigelia and Wisteria.
Some trees and shrubs flower on the current (new) seasons wood and should be pruned in late winter while dormant. Pinch off spent blossoms as they die to keep the plants looking their best and to help promote more flowers. Examples of these are: Abelia, Butterfly Bush, Hills of Snow, St. Johnswort, Crape Myrtle, Bush Roses, Camellia, Cranberry Bush, Japanese Spirea, Rose of Sharon (Althea), and Chaste tree.
For hedges you will want to prune in the spring and summer as new undesirable growth appears. You will want to prune the top of the hedge narrower at the top allowing sunlight to reach the base of the hedge. This will prevent thinning in the lower sections of the hedge.
Before you head out on your pruning adventure make sure you have the proper tools. A good pair of sharp and clean pruning shears can cut branches up to ½’ in diameter. For branches ½’ – 2” in diameter you will need a pair of lopping shears. For all branches over 2” you will need a hand or bow saw.
The first thing you will need to prune is all of the dead, damaged, diseased and infested limbs. Make sure you prune back to a good healthy branch just shy of a flush cut. Also remove any undesired suckers and water sprouts from the base and trunk. These fast growing shoots are often unsightly and take away from the nutrients needed in other areas of the tree. A lot of times this is all the pruning that is required. You will want to take a few steps away from the plant and look at what you just pruned. If you have not achieved the desired look selectively prune some more. Cutting lateral branches will promote growth and train the plant to grow into the desired shape you are looking for. On small branches make sure these cuts are ¼-inch from the adjoining branches. Take your time, standing back often to see if you have reached the desired look. Remember, once you prune it, it is gone!
Severe cuts are primarily used when you have control issues and are performed to fix a problem. An example of this is when a tree has grown into a home and is causing damage. On large stems (large limbs connected to the trunk) make sure these cuts are performed out from the trunk of the tree about ½” – 1” at a 60 degree angle.
Hopefully our basic pruning guide, along with help from your state Cooperative Extension Service, will enable you to develop an appropriate pruning schedule. Pruning is an invaluable tool for promoting and maintaining an attractive and healthy landscape.
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