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Learn the art of pruning to improve plant health, control growth, and enhance flowering. Discover proper pruning cuts, techniques like thinning and drop-crotching, and when to prune for optimal results.
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Pruning, why do it? • Improve plant health Increase light and air circulation in the canopy
Pruning, why do it? • Dead • Dying • Damaged • Diseased • Deranged • Root suckers and water sprouts
Plant size and form • Best to select plants which have desired features at maturity • Consider branch spacing and arrangement • Structural strength & safety • Work with natural form of tree/shrub
Safety! • Crotch angles “V” = Very bad! “U” = Ultimate! Right angle = Right on!
Crotch angles • “V” usually forms embedded or included bark • “U” often forms ridge bark Y
Pruning techniques • Heading back = selective removal of the ends of twigs or young branches to a node • Often has undesirable results such as multiple leaders • Drop-crotching = pruning back to a fork where there is a live branch (better) • Pinching = removal of soft, new growth of branch tips with your fingers
Pruning techniques • Thinning = complete removal of branches back to a lateral branch or main trunk
Pruning techniques • Raising the crown
Damaged branch collar
Improper pruning cuttings
Bacterial rot behind wound paint
Specialized pruning • Espalier • Topiary • Bonsai/Penjing
When to prune? • Trees are best pruned late in the dormant season or following a growth flush • If trees are pruned at other times, this often results in water sprouts • Worst time to prune? • When leaves are forming! (right now!)