Pruning Fundamentals

Tree Pruning

The first thing to look for when pruning a tree is broken, diseased or dead branches, all of which should be removed. The next thing to be concerned with are suckers and water sprouts. Suckers can be either bottom suckers coming from the root system or growths originating from the trunk. In either case, they reduce water and nutrient flow to the main portion of the tree and should be removed. Another problem growth is called a water sprout, which is very noticeable because it grows straight up from a branch. Water sprouts also rob water and nutrients from the tree. They are primarily problems for flowering trees, and should be removed. After all of these problems have been corrected, a second look at the tree should let you know what other limbs should be removed. Removing large limbs is perhaps the most difficult part of tree pruning. It requires two cuts in which one cut removes the weight of the limb and prevents tearing of the bark. The second cut is made closer to the trunk and removes the remaining stub, but should be no closer than the branch collar.

Pruning Deciduous Shrubs

Many deciduous shrubs can really benefit from annual pruning. Pruning not only controls the size of these shrubs, but it can also increase flower production and encourage colorful bark. By selectively pruning these shrubs, we can increase their value to our landscapes and us. Let’s begin with a few of the more common shrubs, such as lilac, forsythia, and weigela. These shrubs are most commonly known for their flowers, so we should prune them accordingly. By removing a portion of their oldest stems entirely we can encourage younger growth, which will give us more flowers. Plants such as red and yellow twig dogwood have colorful stems which can be enhanced by removing the older gray stems. Another group of plants that benefit from pruning are the spireas and potentillas. These plants are treated a little differently in that they are cut down to about 4 or 6 inches in the fall or early spring. By pruning them this way, we increase their flowering and yet remove all of their twigginess that would look unsightly throughout the winter and early spring.

There are many other trees and shrubs that require more detailed pruning recommendations. Please email us your questions or stop by the store...we always have people available to answer your questions whether they involve specific plant recommendations or which pruner is the right one for you. So check out your tools now and take a look at that old forsythia or overgrown crabapple because spring is right around the corner!

Dormant Pruning

Late winter pruning is often recommended for many trees and shrubs. Pruning the plants while they are dormant is less stressful for the plant and it’s also easier to view the structure of deciduous trees and shrubs without their leaves. It’s also a time of the year when late winter sunshine makes us all long to be in our gardens and pruning is an excellent job to get us out there.

Pruning Tools

The simplest tool, but the hardest to choose is the hand pruner. There are two distinct styles of hand pruners: the anvil type and the bypass. The anvil pruner is good for pruning deadwood or undesirable growth. For more valuable specimens anvil pruners tend to smash the wood during cutting, leaving the wound open to insects and disease. Bypass pruners are like a pair of scissors and give you an easier, cleaner healthier cut. All of our best pruners are bypass type and we carry a good selection of Felco pruners that most professionals prefer.

Another tool that comes in handy is the lopping shear. They are used for making larger cuts up to 1-1/2" in diameter. They are also excellent for clearing away undesirable growth in your yard.

The last tool you'll need is a pole pruner. It is a combination lopping shear and pruning saw. The pole pruner extends out to twelve feet and can be used for making small cosmetic cuts or larger limb removals.

To learn more about pruning specific trees or shrubs, please stop in or give us a call. While many plants can be pruned now, other spring-blooming trees and shrubs like forsythia, azaleas and rhododendron should not be pruned at this time of year.