Pruning 101

Pruning is a crucial garden skill that can take a little learning, but when understood the principles are fairly straightforward. Ultimately it’s just a matter of making clean cuts to get rid of the parts of a plant or tree that aren’t beneficial to growth. Depending on the objectives, pruning can also help maximize flower and fruit production, open vistas, repair storm damage or provide clearance for buildings or traffic.

The most important consideration for any pruner is to make sure that he or she has the proper equipment and tools. The use of specialized pruning shears, loppers, saws and chainssaws for larger trees and shrubs should only be done by those who are trained and licensed to do so.

For smaller plants, a good set of sharp, hand-held pruning shears should be sufficient. Always use clean tools when working with any plant; this helps avoid the spread of disease and insect problems between plants. In addition, always sanitize your tools between uses. The best way to do this is to dip the blades in a solution of bleach and water, or use a commercial disinfectant such as Fung-x or Actisol.

In general, most plants and shrubs need to be pruned throughout the year in order to improve their appearance, manage size and promote vigor. This includes removing dead or diseased branches, crossing or rubbing branches, suckers from rootstock, water sprouts from limbs and other objectionable growth. It also involves thinning to enhance light penetration and stimulate the formation of new, more vigorous growth.

Many plants require pruning to maximize flower and fruit production. This usually means opening up the canopy to allow sunlight to penetrate, which in turn encourages the formation of flower buds. It may also involve cutting back lateral branches to reduce height and/or length. When reducing height, it’s important to cut back to an intersecting (lateral) branch that is 1/3 to 1/2 the diameter of the one being removed.

Another pruning goal is to train a plant to form a desired shape or habit. This can be accomplished by a variety of training techniques including tying the branches to a stake, staking and tying, hedging and espaliers.

It’s a good idea to consult a pruning guide for the specific species of plants and shrubs you have in your garden. This will give you the information you need to prune them correctly and in the most effective manner possible. For example, if you have a group of hydrangeas and clematis growing together, you should learn the pruning schedule for those particular plants in order to get maximum bloom and fruit production. The same applies to other perennials and shrubs in your landscape. By learning the pruning habits of your individual plants, you’ll be better able to apply the basic principles to all of them. This is the key to successful and satisfying pruning.

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