Garden

Pruning: Enhance Plants’ Form and Function

Pruning a tree establishes good branch structure and spacing and creates one central trunk. Get the why, when, what and how of pruning to promote a healthy garden.

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Credit: GardenWise

Pruning enhances plants’ form and function

Pruning enhances plants’ form and function

WHY PRUNE

For future health. Prune a tree to establish good branch structure and spacing and one central trunk.

WHEN TO PRUNE

In most cases, prune when the tree is dormant, typically November through March. Some trees have specific pruning requirements, so it is best to ask for advice if you are not sure.

HOW MUCH TO PRUNE

Avoid removing more than 15 per cent of the live branches from a tree, no matter what the tree’s age, size or species.

WHAT TO DO

Before pruning, take a step back and look at your tree. Envision your tree after it’s pruned. Remember you can always take more off, but can’t put it back on. Always have a purpose in mind before a cut is made. Branches to prune: competing leader, vertical, crossing, downward growing, broken or dead, and suckers.

WHAT NOT TO DO

Never top your tree. Don’t make the mistake of cutting off the tree’s canopy to reduce its size. Besides being unattractive, topping leads to weak growth and decay and possible safety concerns. Avoid leaving too much or too little of the pruned branch; creating, for example, a stub cut, which is leaving too much, or a flush cut, which is leaving too little. Remember finished cuts should never leave a stub on which you can hang your cap!

RECOMMENDED TOOLS

• Pole saw and lopper head • Handsaws • Helmet and safety glasses • Hand pruner • Leather gloves • Long-handled lopper Tools should be sanitized prior to pruning to minimize the spread of bacterial and fungal diseases. Loppers and hand pruners should be bypass or scissor type. Saw blades should have tripleedged teeth. A hard hat, leather gloves and eye protection are recommended. Before using a pole saw, always check for overhead utilities.