LandscapePruning.Trees

Presented by Dr. Teri HamlinGeorgia Department of Education

The appearance of a properly pruned plant is like a good hair cut: hardly noticeable at first glance. LandscapePruning Trees

1PruningPruning at Planting: If quality plant stock, pruning is not necessary

Do not prune to compensate for root losslatest research show pruning does not help overcome transplant shock

2Why PruneRemoval of dead, broken, diseased, or insect-infested branches

Maintain desired shape & size (make it look natural)

Promote healthy vigorous growth

Promote flowering & fruitingAllow air and light to enter the interior of the plant.

3Pruning Tools

Sharp&Sterile

4Pruning ToolsHand Shears: branches up to in diameterLopping Shears: branches to 1 in diameterPruning Saw: branches larger than 1 in diamterChain Saw: branches larger than 3Pole Pruner: long-handled pruner to reach into canopy w/o a ladder. (power pole pruner)Hedge Shears: hedges and other shrubs up to in diameterGrass shears: 2 blades designed to cut grass around edges of walks or flower beds.5Making the Cut

Directional Pruning- cuts should be about in above bud or beyond branch collar6Cuts should be made about above the bud or just beyond the branch collar.Making the Cut

7Pruning TechniqueHeading Removes a part of a shoot

ThinningRemoves the entire shoot or limb

8Dont top a tree as it is considered a harmful practice.Pruning Technique

Thinning Selectively cutting oldest branches to ground opens center and promotes new growth9Pruning TechniqueHeadingUse for small leaf hedges

Creates dense, tight foliage

10Prime hedge narrower at top than at bottom.Rejuvenating/RenewalRestore overgrown shrubs

Cut all branches 4-8 above ground

If there are any diseased or dead plants you should remove them first.

11If there are dead or diseased plants you should remove them before the disease spreads.Crown ThinningNo more than one-fourth of the living branches should be removed at one time

12Crown RaisingRemove branch from bottom to provide clearance

After pruning the ratio of living crown to total tree height should be at least two-thirds

13Crown Reduction

Ratio of live crown to total tree height should be at least two-thirds

Never cut main branches of tree back to stubs (Topping Trees)14Pruning Young TreeA. Remove suckers

B. Low Growing Branches interfere w/maintenance practices

C. Upright growing shoots or waterspouts

D. Inward growing branches

E. Branches that compete with a central leader

15Large LimbsA. Make partial cut from underneath

B. Make a second cut from above several inches outallows the limb to fall

C. Complete job with final cut just outside the branch collar

16Pruning Limbs

An Improper Cutmade through the branch collar will take 3x longer to heal17Pruning TimeGeneral RuleTrees & Plants that flower before May Prune after bloomDogwood, Redbud, Saucer Magnolia, Flowering CherryAzalea, Forsythia, Rhododendron, Clematis, Climbing rosesTrees & Plants that flower after MayPrune prior to spring growthChaste Tree, Crape Myrtle, SourwoodCamellia, Nandina, Sweetshrub, Abelia, Floribunda roses18North Carolina Pruning TimeJanuary - MarchBroadleaf evergreenNeedleaf evergreenRenewal PruningLarge Tree Limbs

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20Pruning Paint Correct ToolsCorrect TimeCorrect TechniquePlacebo - making the user feel goodResearch shows that paint or wound dressings do not stop decay nor cause the wound to close fasterSuccessful Pruning

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24www.planitdiy.com/how-to-prune-trees-and-shrubs/25What To Prune?On your Pruning Worksheet put a line through the parts of the tree or shrub that you feel should be pruned and tell why.Mark in pencil so you can make corrections if needed.26Plant #1:Create a central leader on this young plant.

27Plant #2:Allow plant to have a higher canopy

28Plant #3:Open the Canopy

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