Pruning Your Trees and Shrubs

Pruning is the process of cutting away dead or diseased branches, removing branches that interfere with other branches and limbs, or reducing the overall size of a plant. While pruning is often feared by those new to gardening, it is generally a simple procedure that can be done safely with the right knowledge and tools. Pruning should always be conducted in a manner that will promote the health and beauty of your trees and shrubs.

The first step in pruning is to remove dead or dying branches and stems as soon as they are noticed. This will allow the plant to focus on producing new, healthy growth in its place and help to prevent the spread of disease to other parts of the plant. Branches that rub together or impede light penetration should also be pruned as soon as they are noticed. This will prevent the development of mold and fungus in the crotches of the branches and will aid in the flow of water through the plant, preventing rot. Older branches that are no longer producing flowers should be removed as well.

During this phase of pruning, you should remove any branches that are rubbing together or that are crossing each other, as well as any that are growing too close to the ground. This will ensure that adequate air circulation and sunlight reach the interior of the plant, reducing the chances of disease and allowing for greater flower production. You should also remove any water sprouts that are growing straight up from the dominant branches of a tree or shrub as well as any that have narrow angles. Evergreens should be pruned according to their natural growth habits and should not be sheared, which ruins the natural shape of the plant and cuts too much off at one time.

Once the dead and damaged portions of the plant have been dealt with, you can begin to do any training cuts that may be required. This can include thinning the crown of mature plants, which will reduce their density and increase sunlight penetration and air circulation throughout the plant; it can also be used to train young trees for pollarding or trellising to form espalier. This type of pruning is often required for urban trees to provide clearance for pedestrians, parked cars, and vehicles.

It is best to perform this type of pruning in the spring and fall, as this is when cambial activity is at its peak. The cambium is the ultrathin layer of living cells that encircles the bark of a plant. It is responsible for wound closure and healing and is very active in the spring and fall, which is why this type of pruning is done during these times. During the winter, there is very little cambial activity, so any pruning cuts will take much longer to heal and may be more susceptible to pathogen attack. This is also why it is important to sterilize your pruning tools before and after each use to reduce the chances of introducing diseases from one plant to another.

from Sunshine Coast Tree Lopping Caloundra https://ift.tt/mgxA2BR