Pruning is the selective removal of branches from a tree or shrub to promote long-term health and structural integrity. It also enhances plant appearance and creates specialized forms like espaliers, topiaries and hedges.
Most woody plants, such as trees and shrubs, need regular pruning to maintain their desired size and shape. When pruned regularly, plants develop a more compact and healthy structure that is free of limbs that are too close together or encroaching on structures, such as buildings and homes. Pruning also helps plants produce larger flowers or fruit and provides protection from damage or disease, such as oak wilt, blights on evergreens and volutella blight on boxwood.
Proper pruning techniques include the use of hand-held clippers, shears and loppers with blades that range from 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 centimeters). In general, smaller branches are pruned using handheld shears or loppers; larger branches require the use of a saw. For some plants, such as large ficus or ficus-based hedges, the use of a specialized handsaw is also required.
The first step in pruning is removing dead or damaged limbs. Dead limbs can be identified by their brittleness and lack of a green layer under the bark. Injured or weak limbs are cut back to their point of attachment on the trunk or adjacent limbs. These limbs are sometimes removed entirely and replaced with new growth (heading cuts).
Overly dense plants are often pruned to open the canopy, allowing more light to penetrate. This stimulates flowering and fruit production in many species, including hydrangeas, roses, lilacs, azaleas and rhododendrons. In some species, such as spruce and pine, thinning can also improve airflow around the crown and reduce the risk of storm damage.
Branches that rub together or grow in the wrong direction should be removed because they can cause wounds, restrict airflow and reduce branch strength. In some cases, these branches may also interfere with buildings or power lines and must be removed to ensure safety.
In the case of plants in buildings, such as Schefflera, Pothos, Aglaonema and Dracaena, removing older branches encourages younger, more vibrant growth and promotes a more compact, well-branched plant. In addition, it can prevent the spread of disease or fungus that can affect nearby plant parts or even the entire building.
Most shrubs and evergreens can be pruned at any time of the year. However, certain species, such as azaleas, hydrangeas, lilacs and magnolias, need to be pruned after they have finished blooming in spring to allow them to develop new wood before going dormant for the winter. In late winter or early spring, these and other flowering trees and shrubs can be pruned to reduce height and width while promoting overall plant vigor.
source https://standfasttreeservices1.wordpress.com/2025/01/17/pruning-your-trees-and-shrubs/
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