Basic Pruning

 

 

Generally beginner gardeners are afraid of pruning trees and shrubs for fear of making a mistake and killing off a favorite plant they have spent time and money caring for. People tend to be so happy that it's still alive that they will not trim or prune anything off. If you are unsure how to begin or how much to prune it's best to do a little at a time. Just learning how to shape and promote new growth will do more good than harm. Shaping can be done on shrubs in spring when you can see the shape of the bush easily before leaves begin to sprout. Trim out or shorten any branches that stick out too far horizontally or rub on each other. Dead or diseased branches must go too. Trim back flowering shrubs about 4 or 5 inches to promote new branching as well as blooms. Pruning out thick growth also allows air flow and prevents fungal disease. This is most true for roses.

 

Trees need the same air flow and light to be healthy and grow and thrive. A good rule of thumb is to trim out one third at any one time. Do shaping over a period of say two seasons. Don't prune in very hot and dry conditions. Stress and drought will be very harmful to trees and shrubs. Pruning is good for plants when they are exposed to windy conditions. By removing weak or dead wood you are doing a lot of good. Start pruning when trees and shrubs are young.

 

1. Position your cuts on an angle away from the main stem.

2. Cut above a bud to aid the plant to heal quickly.

3. Cut out small suckers that have grown at the base of the main trunk of a tree.

4. Evergreen shrubs can be pruned in late fall to be used for baskets, swags or wreaths.

5. Leave off pruning all your perennial woody herbs until spring so you will be sure to have some winter protection.

6. Prune out spent roses to keep new blooms forming and do cut out one or two old stems to allow new branching.

7. Vines like grapes or trumpet vine require a good pruning to ensure fruit and flowers. Fasten them to a strong structure like a trellis or fence.

8. Creeping shrubs also need to be checked for winter damage, excess growth or diseased branches to train them to grow where or how you want them to spread. Keep the strongest and a few new healthy branches to easily train them.