We prune landscape plants for a lot of different reasons. They can be shaped and thinned; you can remove dead, diseased, crossing, low or overhanging branches; suckers can be removed; flowers may need dead-heading…and the list goes on…
Today we’re writing about the general techniques and tips for pruning. Our next few posts will feature plant specific pruning tips just for you!
Disinfecting pruners – So many pathogens are passed through pruning. It’s important to keep your pruners disinfected, at a minimum, between plants. Some pruners should be disinfected between each cut! If you make one cut into an infected area of a branch, then immediately cut into another branch, there is a good possibility you’ll transfer the disease. What could have been a contained disease (cut, disinfect, cut, disinfect…) has now infected multiple plants and you’re looking for replacements!
Sharpening pruners – Every time you make a cut, you wound the plant. Ouch. The plant now has to recover from the wound and can do so more easily when it is a clean cut. Trees actually form a compartment around the wound, to prevent diseases and insects from gaining access through the cut. Mother Nature is so cool…said the plant nerd 🙂 Really, though, this is the reason you should not use a pruning seal on the branch.
Shearing – Just like with sheep, shearing is removing the outer layers of a plant. The shearing method is great for creating hedges or shapes. Keep 2/3 of the plant intact, only to remove 1/3 of the branches.
The single cut – Make sure your pruning equipment matches the size of the project. Using a pruner too small for a branch will cause the cells to be “pinched” and can harm branch. Cut branches at a 45° angle, just above the bud. This method will create a natural-looking shrub or tree.
Heading back – Use the single cut (preferred) method or shearing to reduce the overall size of the plant. Select different lengths of branch for your cut to create a natural landscape vibe.
Dead-heading – Spent flower removal can promote re-blooming in some plants. With coneflowers, this can be a way to remove the boring insect that eats the blooms, allowing the secondary blooms to thrive.
If you’d like to discover pruning habits in more detail, check out our next few posts!
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