Ah, the landscape is full of autumn colors, cooler weather and time for pruning.
This article is a basic guide for training and pruning your fruit or nut trees from adolescents to maturity. Also, I present a simple chart (see below) of recommended time frames for pruning/training, task to be performed on a variety of plants and a basic tip or two to make the task less laborious.
We all tend to neglect the required annual training and pruning of fruit trees; however, without this vital task the fruit trees will not develop proper shape and form nor will it produce a quality fruit harvest. Remember, properly trained and pruned plants will produce quality flowers, fruit, nuts and dramatically increase the lifespan of the tree.
The goal of proper training and pruning is to develop a strong plant and/or tree framework that will support fruit production. Neglected or improperly trained plants will produce poor quality flowers and in the case of fruit trees will result in extreme vertical branch angles which results in serious limb breakage under a heavy fruit load. This is loss of productivity and could reduce the plant/tree life. Additionally, the annual training and pruning is to remove dead, diseased or broken limbs.
A properly trained and pruned tree has a tree canopy to maximize light penetration and permits adequate airflow through the tree which promotes rapid drying to minimize disease infection. Plants will have more quality and abundance of flowers to enhance any landscaped yard, garden or commercial enterprise.
BASIC PRUNING-THINING GUIDE
Plant Type - Ornamental grasses
Task - Cut as close to the ground as possible
Tip - Tying the tops before cutting makes the job easier
PERIOD March-April
Plant Type - Semi-woody perennials (butterfly bush, Russian Sage)
Task - Cut back to 4” to produce strong new stems and best flower display
Tip - May be cut back anytime during the winter
Plant Type - Broad-leaved evergreens
Task - Prune out stems with winter injured foliage
Tip - Wait until later in the spring to shear or hedge so new growth will cover tips
Plant Type - Summer-flowering trees, shrubs vines, hydrangea and roses
Task - Remove dead, damaged, or crowded stems, shape or reduce size if desired.
Tip - Summer flower buds develop on new growth. Spring fertilization and adequate moisture in the summer will increase number and size of summer blooms.
Plant Type - Evergreen shrubs (yews, juniper, boxwood
Task - Hedging and shaping if desired or thinning to reduce size.
Tip - Cut just as growth begins so new growth cover cut tips. Remember to include some inner thinning of the bush to ensure the outside lay of foliage does not become to thick.
Plant Type - Spring flowering shrubs (forsythia, rhododendron,lilacs)
Task - Prune for shaping or size control. These plants form buds for next year's during the summer. Pruning after midsummer will cut off flower buds.
Tip - Deadheading, remove fading flowers benefits plants like rhododendron and lilac by preventing seed formation and directing growth into flower buds for next spring.
Plant Type - Flowering perennials and annuals
Task - Deadheading, removing flowers as they fade. This extends the flowering or promotes a second growth.
Tip - Do not deadhead if dried flowers or seed are attractive or wanted for propagation During this period, woody plants will not produce callus, the tissue that covers pruning wounds. This makes the plant susceptible to fungal spores, bacteria, and insects are numerous and will find a foothold in an open wound.
Plant Type - Deciduous and evergreen trees, crab apples and other pest prone plants.
Task - Remove any dead, damaged, or hazardous limbs. Remove crossed or rubbing limbs. Get rid of the suckers!
Tip - Winter is an ideal time for pruning because insect and disease pressure is minimized, and the plant architecture is visible.
This chart is simply a basic guide for thinning and pruning at various times of the year. For more specific information regarding your particular plant, research is the key. Check your local library or go online and utilize the capabilities of your favorite search engine, Google, Yahoo, Ask, Bing just to name a few.
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