Pruning 101

Pruning is a big, sometimes intimidating topic for people who are new to gardening or horticulture. There’s always the fear that you will make some poorly placed cut that destroys your tree or shrub. But it’s very unlikely that a few erroneous cuts will kill the plant, and a little knowledge can help you prune with confidence.

The main objective of pruning is to shape a plant or train it to grow in a particular direction. Whether you’re trimming back shrubs to control their size, shaping ornamental trees and shrubs into hedges, topiaries or espaliers (espressoriums), or training young trees to form a structure like a dome or pyramid, the basic principle is the same. When you prune, aim to create an even canopy that will allow the light to reach the interior of the plant and provide good air circulation.

When you are ready to start pruning, it’s important to first remove any dead or diseased branches, those that can wrap others, as well as suckers and water sprouts. It’s also a good idea to remove any branches growing at an unnatural angle. If left alone, these branches can divert energy away from fruit-producing limbs and cause the tree to become leggy.

You may also want to consider thinning your plants. This is a great option for ornamental trees and shrubs that have grown larger than their original intended size, and can be done in the late winter or early spring. This type of pruning is also a good choice for any shrub that has become too dense, as it can be very effective in stimulating flower and fruit production.

Finally, it’s a good idea to prune woody perennials right after they finish flowering. This is especially important for plants that bloom on old growth, such as rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp), dogwoods (Cornus spp) and lilacs (Syringa spp). If you wait too long to prune these types of shrubs, you could be removing the stems that would have produced next year’s flowers.

To calculate the diameter at breast height (DBH), use a tape measure or a ruler to measure from ground level up to the point where you can see the entire trunk of the plant. You can also use a branch thickness gauge to estimate the diameter of the trunk.

For fruit trees, make a point of pruning as soon as the weather turns cold in late fall or early winter. This will help concentrate energy into producing good fruit the following season, and will keep the number of suckers and unwanted branches to a minimum. It’s also a good idea for all other trees and shrubs to prune as needed throughout the summer. However, do not attempt to prune a young tree that has just started growing during the warm weather as this can damage or weaken it. Always consult a reputable gardening resource to determine the best time to prune specific trees and shrubs in your area.

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