Pruning 101

Pruning is the selective removal of living or dead plant parts, including branches, buds, leaves and roots. It can be done to shear plants into a more desirable shape, control the growth of shrubs or trees, and manage pests or diseases. Pruning can be done to any soft-tissue plant (herbaceous) or woody plant such as a tree or shrub.

When done properly, pruning enhances the aesthetic value of landscaped areas and improves the health and vigor of the plants being pruned. Pruning also reduces maintenance costs and the potential for damage or injury from improper trimming techniques. It is important that people learn about the benefits of judicious pruning and its role in overall garden design.

The angle of a pruning cut has a significant impact on how well a plant will recover from the wound. Using the right tool for the job is important as is cleaning and oiling equipment after each use. In addition, the amount of pruning removed and when it is done have a major effect on how well a plant will grow in future years.

It is important to remove any diseased or damaged limbs that are found during pruning. This will not only improve the appearance of the plant but can also reduce the risk of insect infestations and spread of disease to other healthy limbs or the whole plant.

Removing weak limbs can also reduce the risk of a hazardous situation if a storm or severe weather conditions cause those limbs to fail. It can also prevent the weakened limbs from being swept away by wind or blown onto adjacent structures such as houses, cars and power lines.

When a plant is pruned, it can produce new shoots to replace those that are removed. This can help maintain a desired size or shape of the plant, promote flowering and fruit production and fill in bare areas within the landscape. Pruning can be used to achieve these goals with both natural or sheared plants such as bushes and hedges, or it can be used in topiary where a specific or unusual form is desired.

Many municipalities require that residents prune their own trees to minimize the risk of damage from storms or other occurrences. This can include removing limbs that are dead or damaged, reducing the height of a tree or correcting structural problems such as leaning or overgrowth.

Often times, pruning is required due to the presence of pests or disease on a property. This is because many pests and worms reside in the dead or dying limbs of a tree or shrub. As these pests feed, they can leave behind spores that can affect healthy growth or spread a disease that could eventually kill the entire plant. This is why pruning of plants such as Schefflera, Pothos, Aglaonema and Dracaenas is so beneficial as it will encourage the growth of replacement limbs that are resistant to these harmful organisms.