Pruning should follow a definite plan. Consider the reason or purpose before cutting begins.
By making the pruning cuts in a certain order, the total number of cuts is reduced greatly. The skilled pruner first removes all dead, broken, diseased or problem limbs by cutting them at the point of origin or back to a strong lateral branch or shoot. Often, removing this material opens the canopy sufficiently so that no further pruning is necessary.
The next step in pruning is to make any training cuts needed. By cutting back lateral branches, the tree or shrub is trained to develop a desired shape, to fill in an open area caused by storm or wind damage or to keep it in bounds to fit a given area. To properly train a plant, one should understand its natural growth habit. Always avoid destroying the natural shape or growth habit when pruning unless maintaining a close watch over the plant, for after a period of time it attempts to assume the more natural growth habit. Request a free quote here.
Make additional corrective pruning cuts to eliminate weak or narrow crotches and remove the less desirable central leader where double leaders occur. After these cuts have been made, stand back and take a look at your work. Are there any other corrective pruning cuts necessary? If the amount of wood removed is considerable, further pruning may need to be delayed a year or so. Remove water sprouts unless needed to fill a hole or to shade a large limb until other branches develop.
Definitions of Terms
Broad-leaved evergreen---an evergreen plant with broad leaves that are not needle-shaped.
Caliper---refers to the diameter of a tree. In nursery-landscape practice, caliper is measured 6 inches above the ground level up to and including 4-inch diameter size and 12 inches above the ground level for larger sizes. For all others, diameter is measured at 4.5 feet above ground level.
Candle---refers to early spring growth of pine shoots before needle expansion.
Central leader---the main stem of the tree from which other branches develop. In most cases, it is the trunk.
Crotch---the angle developed between two connecting branches.
Deciduous---plants that normally have leaves only during the growing season and lose their leaves during the dormant season.
Dieback---the dying back of stems due to adverse weather conditions, insects, diseases or other causes.
Dormant---the period of the year when a plant is not growing.
Espalier---to train a plant on a wire or trellis against a wall or other support.
Lateral---a branch originating from the main trunk.
Multiple stemmed plants---plants with more than one stem form the base compared to plants with only a central leader.
Narrow-leaved evergreen---an evergreen plant with leaves that are needle-shaped.
Permanent branch---a branch that is part of the major growth habit of the tree, usually originating from the trunk.
Radial branch spacing---the distribution of branches around the trunk of a tree.
Scaffold branching---branch originating from the trunk and becoming a part of the major branching or framework of the tree.
Shearing---cutting back plants with hedge shears resulting in a very formal growth habit.
Sucker---a vigorous shoot originating from root or stem tissue below ground.
Temporary branch---branch usually originating from the trunk that is removed at a later date.
Terminal---tip ends of branches.
Thinning---removal of connecting branches to point of origin or shortening the length of a branch by cutting to a lateral.
Training---to dictate the development and growth of a plant by physical means, such as pruning.
Vertical branch spacing---distribution of branches up and down the trunk of a tree.
Water sprout---vigorous shoot arising from the trunk or older branches.
Wound---area where the bark of a plant is cut or damaged.
Wound dressing--- a specially formulated material often called pruning paint, which is applied to tree wounds.
