Pruning Trees and Shrubs

Pruning is the careful removal of dead, diseased, or insect-infested branches, to control size and shape, enhance light penetration, and encourage good plant health. Good pruning also reduces hazards to people and property caused by weak limbs that could fall during storms or impact structures, cars, and driveways.

Trees are valuable assets in any landscape, but they require regular care to maximize vigor and horticultural value. Many trees and shrubs benefit from a light prune every year, and timing depends on the species and goals of the planting. Some plants benefit from a hard prune or shape cut in winter while others respond to light trimming during spring or early summer.

Whenever possible, it is best to avoid using chemical treatments on trees and shrubs after pruning, especially when the cuts are made close to the trunk. This is because chemicals soaked into pruning wounds can inhibit the natural growth of a plant and actually damage it. Pruning paints and dressings containing turpentine, mineral spirits, creosote, or pentachlorophenol compounds have been shown to be detrimental to the long-term health of a plant.

In general, the first step in pruning is to remove all dead or damaged stems as soon as they are noticed. This not only minimizes the spread of disease, but it also allows the plant to concentrate all its energy on growing healthy new branches and leaves. A proactive homeowner should start this process as soon as a plant is planted, and continue it throughout the life of the tree. This includes removing crossing or rubbing branches, water sprouts (vigorous upright growth shoots on a trunk or side branch), suckers (vigorous growth that develop near or from below ground), and double-crossed stems.

Removing these problem branches helps to open up the canopy, allowing more light to penetrate and stimulating flower buds to form. This is especially important for shade trees and many fruit trees, where maximizing blooms and fruit production are objectives.

Thinning a tree or shrub is another good practice, particularly for those that grow rapidly and become overcrowded. This is done by removing branches that are too close together, as well as old or damaged branches. Thinning can improve light penetration and increase airflow within the crown, which can prevent soil compaction and wind damage.

A final type of pruning is training, which involves the gradual raising of lower branches of a tree to form a particular shape. This is often done to provide clearance for traffic or utility lines, but it can be an aesthetic feature in the garden as well. For evergreens, this may be accomplished through training into espaliers, topiaries, or pollards. This type of pruning is usually done in late winter or early spring, or during the dormant period before a vigorous burst of growth in the spring. Generally, it is best to do this type of pruning on evergreens that can tolerate a harsh trim.

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