Pruning Your Trees and Shrubs

Pruning is the removal of selected plant parts to manage plant size, shape, health and appearance. It may also be used to help control diseases and insect infestations. Pruning can be done to both woody (trees, shrubs) and soft-tissue plants (herbaceous).

A proper pruning regime can help prevent the spread of disease through cut wounds. This is because a correctly made pruning cut will close and seal quickly. Proper pruning will also promote healthy growth by allowing light to penetrate the interior of the canopy which is essential for good plant health.

It is important to prune a tree or shrub when it is young in order to guide the development of its natural form. This is best accomplished by using a formative pruning technique which removes some of the older branches while leaving other, stronger limbs. When this is done the tree can grow with more compact, dense branching that can resist storm damage and other stresses such as insects, disease and drought.

For mature trees, a general pruning program is important to keep them in balance with their surroundings. Many of these tasks can be completed in the late winter or early spring, although for some species it is preferable to wait until after their bloom period which varies by species.

Pruning should be done with a clear plan in mind. The overarching objective should be to improve the health of the tree, set its shape or bolster fruit production. More specific objectives include removing dead limbs, waterspouts, suckers and obstructive growth. It is also a good idea to thin the canopy of certain deciduous trees to decrease the chance of wind damage and to enhance interior foliage for better health and more visual impact.

Evergreens can be pruned to encourage blooming and to maintain their natural form. Shearing them is generally not advisable since it often destroys their natural form and limits the amount of light that can penetrate the interior of the plant. This can result in poor vigor and a sparse, unattractive landscape. Pruning should be done in the spring, when most evergreens bloom or after they have finished their blooming period.

For ornamental trees and shrubs such as boxwood that are shaped into hedges, it is important to prune them regularly throughout the early part of the growing season in order to keep their desired form. Shearing should be stopped about six weeks before your area’s first frost. It is not a good idea to prune these plants after they finish blooming since this can result in the loss of future flower buds. In addition, pruning during high summer can be difficult because the tree is putting energy into building its reserves for fall and winter weather and this can lead to an increased chance of fungal infection through open pruning wounds. If you are uncertain about the proper timing of pruning your trees or shrubs, please consult a professional. They will be able to recommend the proper timing for pruning based on the specific needs of your plants.



source https://experttreeremovalptyltd.wordpress.com/2024/11/10/pruning-your-trees-and-shrubs/

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Difference Between Tree Lopping and Pruning

Expert Tree Removal Services in Rouse Hill: Your Trusted Arborists!

Stump Grinding – A Safe and Effective Way to Remove Unwanted Tree Stumps