PRUNING- 5 Tips for Pruning Trees and Shrubs
Almost everybody loves trees! We all want them to live long and prosper. Pruning trees, shrubs, and flowers can help to keep those trees and shrubs in a good shape and form and also make them live longer. A well-pruned tree does not only appease the eyes of the onlookers but also benefits the tree in numerous ways. Are you looking for the tips and tricks involved in tree pruning? Check these out!
Use Clean Equipment
There are three basic tools needed for tree pruning. These include hand pruner, pruning saw, and lopper. Look at these tools closely and make sure they are clean. A clean tool will ensure that you get a clean result in the end. Open and close the device to see how it works. As you use these tools to prune the tree and shrubs, they pick up juices, resins, and sap from the plant. These substances can contain disease-causing pathogens that can spread from plant to plant. Therefore, always clean the blade frequently during the pruning process and after use.
Proper Time Of Year
Pruning has to come at the right time in order to get the best out of your tree or flower. Different kinds of trees and flowers have different blooming periods. Therefore, each tree has its own best time for pruning. Generally, a spring blooming plant should be pruned after they bloom in the spring of the preceding year. Autumn-blooming plants should be pruned during the winter. Always note that when pruning during the blooming season, you are pruning for shape and health of the plant. Do hard pruning only in the winter months and always remember that the way you prune a tree or shrub in Autumn is the way it will look all winter.
Make sure you always cut a branch off a tree on the collar of the tree on a 45 degree angle to allow moisture and water to run off the cut and also it will allow the tree to flood the area of the cut with the sap, or latex, or kinoo that is inside the tree (like blood for humans). This will stop any bug or bacteria getting into the cut and allow for the branch to heal over.
Prune For Shape
Pruning has to come at the right time in order to get the best out of your tree or flower. Different kinds of trees and flowers have different blooming periods. Therefore, each tree has its own best time for pruning. Generally, a spring blooming plant should be pruned after they bloom in the spring of the preceding year. Autumn-blooming plants should be pruned during the winter. Always note that when pruning during the blooming season, you are pruning for shape and health of the plant. Do hard pruning only in the winter months and always remember that the way you prune a tree or shrub in Autumn is the way it will look all winter.
What To Prune From A Tree Or Shrub
So, what do you leave on the tree and who do you prune away? Generally, the parts to be pruned include any dead wood, crossing, and rubbing branches. Deadwood and branches will appear leafless, brittle, distorted, rotten or disease-infected. Prune away every branch that crosses the run of another. After this, gather and collect the trimmings for disposal.
When pruning any shrubs or large hedges and you want to get them to bush out or spread, it’s called tip pruning. Cutting the outside edges of the shrub about 20-30mm off the branches or foliage it will spread and encourage it to grow outwards.
A Note On Fruit Trees
When it comes to fruit trees, I can’t stress the importance of pruning to access the fruit so it grows lower enough. This is so you can pick your fruits easily.
Every time you prune any tree, roses or fruiting trees you’re pruning to get a better fruiting or flowering yield next season.
The Bottom Line
Pruning of trees, shrubs, and flowers is essential to make them perform to their potential. It also helps to keep the trees in shape and form in order to appease the eyes. Pruning also requires the use of proper techniques and methods. Therefore, make sure you get the essential tools and follow the tips above for a perfect pruning experience.
