Pruning Your Trees

Pruning involves the selective removal of particular plant parts (such as branches, flowers, roots, buds) to improve the form and health of the plant. Typically, pruning is done with hand shears, loppers, a saw, or a power pruner. In most cases, pruning is intended to improve or enhance the aesthetic qualities of the plant. This includes removing diseased, dead, or damaged portions of the plant, opening vistas, controlling plant size and shape, and creating specialized forms such as espaliers, topiaries, and hedges.

The heaviest part of the plant is located in the crown, or uppermost portion of the canopy. Proper pruning can reduce the weight of a tree, reducing stress on the trunk and limbs. This can also help alleviate structural defects such as weak or crooked branches, as well as lowering the risk of damage to people or property during a storm.

Another common reason for pruning is to increase fruit production. A properly pruned tree can redirect energy that would otherwise go to lagging areas of the canopy and stimulate flower bud development, leading to a larger crop. This is particularly important in evergreen trees that don’t always act in their own best interests. For example, if an evergreen puts out too many blooms, the plant won’t have the resources to support those fruits.

Pruning can be done to correct mistakes in long-term garden planning, such as planting a tree that will eventually grow too large for the desired space. In addition, judicious pruning can keep an ornamental or shade tree at a manageable height for a prolonged period of time.

Some species of plants require frequent pruning to maintain a desirable appearance, such as azaleas, rhododendrons, mountain laurel, magnolias, forsythias, chokeberry, and lilacs. These species are typically pruned right after they finish flowering and on wood produced that year. Other plants that require frequent pruning include coralberry, rose-of-Sharon, summersweet, and viburnums.

Lastly, pruning is often used to prevent damage caused by insects or diseases. Insects can eat away at the bark and inside the limbs of a tree or shrub, causing the wood to decay and introducing disease organisms. Pruning removes infested portions of the plant and encourages natural defense mechanisms through wound closure.

A well-trained horticulturist can prune your plants for a variety of reasons, from improving the health and structure of your landscape to enhancing the overall look of your home. But it is important to understand the goals of pruning before attempting any cuts. Otherwise, you may end up damaging your plants in ways that will take years to correct. For more information on this topic, check out The Pruner’s Bible, a great resource by Steve Solomon. Steve is a popular gardening expert in his native Great Britain, and holds the prestigious RHS Master of Horticulture degree. He has written dozens of books, including several aimed at helping home gardeners become better at pruning. This book contains clear, step-by-step instructions for pruning approximately 70 common shrubs and trees.

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