Pruning Tips

When to prune:

Generally, the best time to prune is during the plant's dormant period. This is usually in late winter; however, pruning should be done year round as needed.

Some specific optimum pruning times are as follows:

Choosing the right tools

Picking the right tool for the job will mean less work and ensure that your plants will heal more quickly. Hand pruners work well for small jobs, loppers for large, hedge shears on hedges, bushes and shrubs, and tree pruners for those hard-to-reach tree limbs. Pruners are available in both Anvil and By-Pass versions. There are advantages to both.

Always check the cutting capacities of your pruning tools and don't use them on stems thicker than this. It can cause a twisting action that may damage your tools.

Good tools are worth preserving. Keeping your tools clean and sharp will extend their life, and they will make cleaner cuts as well. Simply dry your tools after each use and apply a few drops of oil to the blades and joints. Pruning tools that are gummed up with stubborn sap and dirt can be cleaned with an emery cloth.

• Tree pruners - Use on hard to reach branches.
• Loppers - Extended reach and leverage. For larger branches up to 2 inch diameter.
• Hedge shears - All hedges except larger woody branches.
• Hand pruners - Use on stems up to 3/4 inch diameter

Biological principle of pruning

Any plant will try to maintain a certain ratio of root to shoot, so the pruning off of shoots will result in vigorous regrowth as the plant tries to restore the balance. Reduction of either roots or shoots will result in reduced growth of the opposite one until the balance has been restored. Thus transplanting, which usually results in the loss of a large part of a plant's root system, is followed by relatively little shoot growth in the year following transplanting while the root system regrows - a fact taken advantage of by growers of bonsai. Similarly, pruning off shoots will result in reduced root growth while the shoot system regrows vigorously. Apart from pruning for size control, it is this growth of vigorous new shoots that pruning is usually intended to encourage.

What should you prune off?

• * • Any dead or diseased twigs or branches should be cut off as soon as they are noticed.
• * • If you wish to do further tidying up, cut out thin weak twigs which can be seen not to have borne flowers or fruit. These occur mainly in shaded parts of the plant, at the base and in the center. Their removal will encourage growth in the rest of the plant.
• * • Any crossing branches which will rub against and damage one another should be pruned off to leave a good, strong framework for the structure of the plant. This is particularly important with trees and especially apples.

Making the proper cut

Pruning new growth is easy. Position the cut to a bud as new growth comes from the buds. Be careful not to make the cut too close or far away from a bud. With FISKARS® PowerGear® Bypass Pruner, position the hook to the discarded side of the branch so as not to damage the bark of the remaining branch.

Pruning Evergreens

Never cut evergreens so far back that no green shoots are showing. In evergreens brown twigs cannot produce new green shoots and all you will be left with is a tangle of dead brown twigs at the base of the hedge or tree. A rule of thumb is to never take off more than a third of the green material.

Pruning Hedges

Prune shrubs first to remove dead or damaged branches. Next prune to improve the shrub's shape.

Pruning Roses

Roses may be pruned lightly or severely depending on taste, but an unpruned rose will soon become overgrown and produce few blossoms. Prune roses during the plants dormant period to remove deadwood and to shape and control. Remove old stems to open the plant framework. This allows sunlight in and promotes new growth. Prune just above leaflets because new growth begins here. Use by-pass pruners. They cause less damage to tender shoots.

Vigorous new growth with plenty of blossoms.	Late winter - Remove dead, weak and diseased shoots. Prune to improve shape.

Pruning Trees

Some simple guidelines to make your trees healthier and a more attractive part of your yard for years to come.

1. Dominant leader (do not prune).
2. Prune competing secondary leaders.
3. Prune inward growing branches or branches that rub.
4. Cut off deep crotched limbs that have weak connections.
5. Trim water sprouts.
6. Prune broken, storm damaged limbs.
7. Remove suckers.

Removing Large Limbs

Some simple guidelines to make your trees healthier and a more attractive part of your yard for years to come.

1. First cut. 2. Second cut. 3. Third cut.