Pruning!

Equipment

Pruning, why do it? Improve plant healthImprove plant health Increase light and air circulation in the canopy

Pruning, why do it? DeadDead DyingDying DamagedDamaged DiseasedDiseased DerangedDeranged Root suckers and water sproutsRoot suckers and water sprouts

Damaged

Deranged

Deranged

Root suckers

Water sprouts

Control growth

Enhance Flowering or Fruiting

Plant size and form Best to select plants which have desired features at maturityBest to select plants which have desired features at maturity Consider branch spacing and arrangementConsider branch spacing and arrangement Structural strength & safetyStructural strength & safety Work with natural form of tree/shrubWork with natural form of tree/shrub

Safety! Crotch anglesCrotch angles “V” = Very bad! “U” = Ultimate! Right angle = Right on!

Crotch angles “V” usually forms embedded or included bark“V” usually forms embedded or included bark “U” often forms ridge bark“U” often forms ridge bark Y

Included bark

Better branching angles

Bark ridge

Pruning techniques Heading back = selective removal of the ends of twigs or young branches to a nodeHeading back = selective removal of the ends of twigs or young branches to a node –Often has undesirable results such as multiple leaders –Drop-crotching = pruning back to a fork where there is a live branch (better) –Pinching = removal of soft, new growth of branch tips with your fingers

Pruning techniques Thinning = complete removal of branches back to a lateral branch or main trunkThinning = complete removal of branches back to a lateral branch or main trunk

Drop crotching & crown reduction

Powerline considerations

Pruning techniques Raising the crownRaising the crown

Pruning cuts

Proper pruning cuts

Topping

Damaged branch collar

Healing well!

Heart rot from decay of stub

Improper pruning cuttings

Bacterial rot behind wound paint

Shearing-bad

Shearing-good

Shearing-good

Shearing-good

Specialized pruning EspalierEspalier TopiaryTopiary Bonsai/PenjingBonsai/Penjing

When to prune? Trees are best pruned late in the dormant season or following a growth flushTrees are best pruned late in the dormant season or following a growth flush If trees are pruned at other times, this often results in water sproutsIf trees are pruned at other times, this often results in water sprouts Worst time to prune?Worst time to prune? –When leaves are forming! (right now!)

When to prune? Plants that set bud during the previous year (flower on “old wood”) should be pruned just after they flower (ie: lilac)Plants that set bud during the previous year (flower on “old wood”) should be pruned just after they flower (ie: lilac) Plants that flower on the current season’s growth (“new wood”) are usually pruned while still dormant (late winter/early spring)Plants that flower on the current season’s growth (“new wood”) are usually pruned while still dormant (late winter/early spring)

When to prune? Light pruning on young shrubs encourages branchesLight pruning on young shrubs encourages branches Important to know when your trees/shrubs flower!Important to know when your trees/shrubs flower!

Espalier Creation of 2-dimensional plantsCreation of 2-dimensional plants Used for fruit productionUsed for fruit production –Especially apples and pears Used to conserve spaceUsed to conserve space Used to make use of a microclimateUsed to make use of a microclimate

Topiary

Bonsai Began in China, 2,000 years ago during the Han DynastyBegan in China, 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty In China it is called, “Penjing”In China it is called, “Penjing” Introduced to Japan in the 14th centuryIntroduced to Japan in the 14th century Introduced to the West after World War IIIntroduced to the West after World War II

The best friend on earth of man is the tree. When we use the tree respectfully and economically, we have one of the greatest resources of the earth. Frank Lloyd Wright