Pruning Sheila Dunning

What is Pruning? Removal of plant parts –Shoots, branches, fronds, flowers Improve health Control growth Influence flowering & fruiting –Roots Encircling

Why Prune? Routine maintenance –Don’t wait until overgrown If a plant needs to be pruned several times each year to control size, it is probably the wrong plant for that location Proper plant selection may eliminate the need –Florida Grades and Standards –Dwarf cultivars –Save landfill space

Plant Grading System –Florida Fancy –Florida # 1 –Florida # 2 –Cull Document available online at

Florida Fancy Characteristics of Trees: –Single straight trunk –No chlorosis Characteristics of Shrubs: –Exceptional health –Well shaped –Densely foliated

Florida #1 Characteristics of Trees: –May require some corrective pruning to develop good structure –Minor trunk defects Characteristics of Shrubs: –Healthy, vigorous –Well branched –Well foliated

Florida #2 Characteristics of Trees: –Require major corrective pruning –Badly misshapen –Sparse foliage Characteristics of Shrubs: –Healthy plant –Fairly well shaped –Fair foliage and branches

Reasons to Prune Maintain or Improve Health or Vigor Control Plant Size or Form Train Young Plants Influence Flowering & Fruit Production Safety Rejuvenate Old Plants

Maintain / Improve Health Remove dead, dying or damaged branches Remove diseased or insect infested parts –Limits the spread –Sterilize or replace equipment between cuts 1:9 Alcohol or bleach : Water

Control Size / Form Standard, espalier or topiary forms Thin canopy –Never more than a 1/3 foliage cover at a time –Remove ½ - 1” diameter stems from edge –Never clean out interior Root prune –Slows growth & produces compact plant –½ rootball at a time – 4-6 weeks apart

Cleaning of interior can leave trees more vulnerable to wind damage

Train Young Trees Should begin within the first 2-3 years after planting Continues for 20 years or more Good branch structure improves strength and longevity Frequent light prunings encourages faster growth & prevents undesirable sprouting

Influence Flowering / Fruiting Pinching new growth increases number of flowers Severe pruning produces fewer, but larger flowers Removal of deadheads encourages re-bloom Larger fruit produced when number of flowering branches is reduces

Safety Hazards Stem attachment influences structural strength Remove branches with bark inclusion Remove dead branches and stubs

Attachment Strength Codominant stems are not well attached to each other, especially when included bark is present in the union Branches are more secure when they are small in comparison to the trunk

Included or Embedded Bark

Included Bark

Pruning Embedded Wood

Pruning Techniques Heading –Hedging, shearing Thinning –Reduction

Heading Selective cutting of terminal ends of young branches to a node –Forces growth from lower buds Produces shorter plant New growth is vigorous and upright –Can lead to interior shading / leaf loss Avoid top-heavy plants by heading shoots to varied heights

Growth Habit Following Heading

Heading cuts should be made on a slight angle ¼” above a bud, facing in the direction of desired growth.

No Heading Cuts for Trees Except when required due to storm damage

Topping Trees

Thinning Complete removal of branches Gives open appearance Increases light penetration Encourages wind resistance

Pruning Steps for Trees 1.Remove dead, diseased or broken branches. 2.Select best permanent branches –Spacing 6-24” apart –Remove or shorten others 3.Remove suckers from trunk base –Don’t remove branch sprouts – tree struggling to survive 4.Form central leader –Depending on species –Reduce length of branches with bark inclusions

Two Year Process

Reduction Cuts

Where To Cut

Proper Pruning Cuts

Never cut a branch flush with the trunk

Proper closing of a pruning cut. Wound wood forms a circle. Branch collar is intact

Don’t leave a stub

Pruning Cut Without a Visible Collar

Flush Cuts

Reduction Cut of Large Branch

Remember Don’t remove more than 1/3 of the crown at a time. Better to prune a little at a time over multiple years. Maintain 50%-70% live crown ratio Avoid removing limbs >4” diameter.

Pruning Paints and Wound Dressings Do not prevent wood rot, cracks, or mushrooms. Some dressings may actually promote decay by trapping moisture.

Palms Are Not Trees Never damage terminal bud Remove only brown fronds and flower stalks “9-3” if green must go Harbor insects & rodents Hazard to people or property

Use the Right Tool for the Job

Questions?