How to Prune Trees and Shrubs

Pruning is an important gardening technique that helps in maintaing a neat and aesthetically beautiful garden. It is important to keep the trees and shrubs trimmed so that they do not look shabby and unkempt. Pruning is not only necessary to maintain desired appearance but it is also important for the trees and shrubs to keep growing normally. Most of the times, rapid growth of trees and shrubs makes them dense and cluttered. they should be thinned and pruned to avid any damage to the stems and branches.

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Most of the trees and shrubs can be pruned in late fall or early winter season when they are dormant. It is considered to the best time to prune them as it minimizes sap bleeding and helps the tree to recover quickly in the spring season. Light pruning or thinning to maintain desired shape or structure can be done anytime of the year. However, it is important to make sure that you do not take off much or else the tree may go into shock.

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Flowering trees, shrubs and plants should be pruned in early spring and then after blooming season to encourage heavy flowering. Pruning, deadheading and removing spent flowers helps to induce more blooms. The trees and shrubs should be always be pruned as little as possible. Diseased and dead branches should be removed timely so that the infection does not spread to other parts. Outgrowing stems and branches that act as obstruction should also be removed. It is important to understand what the plant needs and identify the areas that need to be pruned before starting off.

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When pruning, always use sharp tools to make clean cuts. Make pruning cut just outside the branch collar not too close to the main trunk. If done properly, pruning will stimulate growth and your trees will flourish with burst of energy.

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