Proper pruning add to the attractiveness of landscape shrubs and trees. While inappropriate pruning can mess up and diminish its landscape potential. In most cases, it is considered better not to prune than to execute it incorrectly. Trees grow years with little but consistent pruning.
Plants are eventually pruned by nature in some or the other way. But by using improper pruning methodologies even fit plants are deformed.
Here are some key points for executing proper pruning
- Initiate visual inspection from top of the tree and work downhill
- Use proper rules of Pruning
- Don’t remove more than one fourth of a tree’s crown in a particular season
- If possible, major side branches must be at least one third lesser than the trunk diameter
- As an ideal practice, do not prune from bottom more than one third of tree’s height
- Encourage side branches forming angles that are one third off the vertical forming “2 o’clock” or “10 o’clock” angles with tree trunk
- For major species, the tree must have a one single trunk. Find the finest leader and later on the branches before you initiate pruning and remove out of order parts before the pruning process.
- There will be pruning cuts. For aesthetics, you can paint the wounds but it doesn’t put off or reduce the decay.
- Keeping sharper tools will help. Pruning with one hand shears with bent blades and work good on younger trees.
- For higher branches you can utilize a pole pruner. The main job on a bigger plant or tree should be executed by using a proficient arborist.
- For large branches, cutting should be done from the exterior of the branch bark and the ridge collar which is a swollen area. Try to avoid leaving a protruding stub. If the operated limb is smaller to have shaped a collar cut close.
- While shortening the branch, make the cut at a lateral bud or branch. Select a bud that will produce the branch growing in outward direction. The cut must be sharper and cleaner made at an angle about one fourth inch further than the bud.
It is required to be grateful for a plant’s capability to become accustomed to a location and its natural surroundings. Now that you know the pruning fundamentals, gain knowledge about taking care of trees throughout their life cycle.