Sunday, July 15, 2012

A Basic Primer For Pruning Trees and Shrubs




The scientific explanation for pruning is that it is a horticultural practice that changes the form and growth of a plant. Taking aesthetics and science together, it can, also, be considered preventive maintenance. Proper pruning during the early growth stages of a tree will offer the opportunity of preventing many problems in latter years.

Why prune? Promote plant health – remove dead or dying branches injured by disease, severe insect infestation, animals, storms, or some other adverse mechanical damage intervention. After having removed the deadbeat stuff, remove branches and branch stubs that rub together.

One should avoid topping trees. Large stubs left by cut branches can cause several health problems. Also, it adversely affects the plant's natural shape and will promote suckering and development of weak branch structure.

A major goal is to prune to improve overall plant appearance in the landscape. For many landscapes, a plant's natural form is best. Try not to shear shrubs into tight geometrical forms which can adversely affect future flowering. A properly pruned plant will be hard to detect in the overall landscape picture.

Mainly, prune to control plant size, keep evergreens well proportioned, and remove unwanted branches, waterspouts, suckers and undesirable fruiting structures take away from the plant appearance.

A very important aspect to keep in mind when pruning is the protection of people and property

1. Remove dead branches.

2. Have hazardous trees taken down.

3. Prune out weak or narrow-angled tree branches that overhang homes, parking areas, and sidewalks; simply, any location where a falling limb could injure people or damage property.

4. Eliminate plant interference with street lights, traffic lights and overhead wire. CAUTION- do not prune these interfering branches, call utility company or city maintenance for proper removal.

5. Last but not least, for security reasons prune shrubs or tree branches that obscure the entry to your home

Just like a newborn infant which has to be potty trained, walk, eat, and play, our young trees require just as much attention as the baby in becoming a mature majestic tree. Therefore, pruning is the best preventive maintenance a young plant can receive. It is critical in training the young tree to encourage it to develop a strong structure at maturity.

If a young tree is pruned improperly or not at all for several years it will present a major task to remove bigger branches and they may become deformed in the process.

Although not as critical as pruning your trees, shrub pruning employs the same principles to encourage good branch structure:

1. With bare root deciduous shrubs, thin out the branches for spacing and any broken, diseased or crossing/circling roots.

2. Planting bare root deciduous shrubs for hedges, prune the shrub to approximately 6 inches about the soil level.

3. Container-grown or soil ball shrubs require very little pruning when planted.

I can hear the gears clicking, you have all this wonderful information for young trees, what about the old trees sitting around the landscape. Well, to prune large established trees, if possible, consider the natural form of the large tree; most hardwoods have rounded crowns that lack a strong leader and they may have many lateral branches.

Leave the pruning of large trees to qualified tree care professionals who have the proper equipment. Consider the natural form of large trees whenever possible. Most hardwood trees have rounded crowns that lack a strong leader, and such trees may have many lateral branches.