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PRUNING: REASONS FOR PRUNING
  MG Manual Reference
Ch. 8, pp. 2 - 6

[Pruning: training | techniques ]


The reasons for pruning can be grouped under the four following categories: training the plant; maintaining plant health; improving the quality of flowers, fruit, foliage, or stems; and restricting growth.
Training the PlantTop
The first pruning of young trees and shrubs consists of removing broken, crossing, and pest-infested branches.
With trees, the rule of pruning away 1/3 of the top growth at transplanting to compensate for root loss is not necessary for properly pruned, nursery-grown plants. Excessive pruning at transplanting, according to research, reduces ultimate plant size and does not aid in plant survival.
As a rule, the central leader of a tree should not be pruned unless a leader is not wanted, as is the case with some naturally low-branched trees or where multiple-stemmed plants are desired. Trees with a central leader such as linden, sweet gum, or pin oak may need little or no pruning except to eliminate branches competing with the central leader; these should be shortened. Some pruning may be necessary to maintain desired shape and shorten extra-vigorous shoots.
The height of the lowest branch can be from a few inches above the ground (for screening or windbreaks) to 12 feet or more above the ground (as needed near a street or patio). Lower limbs are usually removed over a period of years, beginning in the nursery and continuing for several years after transplanting, until the desired height of trimming is reached.
For greatest strength, branches selected for permanent scaffolds must have wide angle of attachment with the trunk. Branch angles of less than 30° from the main trunk result in a very high percentage of breakage while those between 60° and 70° have a very small breakage rate.
Vertical branch spacing and radial branch distribution are important. If this has not been done in the nursery it can at least be started at transplanting.
Spacing
Scaffold branches of trees should have proper vertical and radial spacing on the trunk
Major scaffold branches of shade trees should be spaced at least 8 inches and preferably 20 inches vertically. Closely spaced scaffolds will have fewer lateral branches. The result will be long, thin branches with poor structural strength.
Radial branch distribution should allow 5 to 7 scaffolds to fill the circle of space around a trunk. Radial spacing prevents one limb from overshadowing another, which, in turn, reduces competition for light and nutrients. Remove or prune shoots that are too low, too close, or too vigorous in relation to the leader and scaffold branches.
When deciduous shrubs are planted bare-root, some pruning may be necessary. Light pruning of roots may be needed if any are broken, damaged, or dead. The branches of shrubs should be pruned by the thinning method (covered later in this chapter), not shearing, to reduce overall plant size by 1/2 or more.
Shrubs transplanted with a ball of soil or from a container require little, if any, pruning. Occasionally, branches may have been damaged in transit, and these should be removed at the time of planting. Prune only to maintain desired size and shape.
Most evergreen trees and shrubs are sold B & B (balled and burlapped) or in a container and, as with deciduous shrubs, require little pruning of branches.
Maintaining Plant Health
In pruning to maintain plant health, first consider sanitation, which includes the elimination of dead, dying, or diseased wood. Any dying branch or stub can be the entry point or build-up chamber for insects or disease that could spread to other parts of the tree. When removing diseased wood such as a fungal canker or fire blight, it is important that the cut be made in healthy wood, beyond the point of infection, with a sterile blade.
The development of a sound framework through proper thinning will help prevent disease and loss of vigor while maintaining good form. Even evergreen shrubs usually will benefit from an occasional thinning of foliage. This thinning will allow penetration of light and air throughout the shrub, resulting in even growth of the foliage.
Quality of Flowers, Fruit, Foliage, and Stems
The more flowers and fruit a plant produces, the smaller they become, as can be seen on an unpruned rose bush or fruit tree. Pruning reduces the amount of wood and so diverts energy into the production of larger, though possibly fewer, flowers and/or fruit. Most flowering shrubs will bloom either on 1-year old growth or on new growth. Properly timed pruning will increase the production of wood that will bear flowers.
Some deciduous shrubs have colored barks which are especially delightful in winter. The best color is produced on young stems; the greatest stem length and most intense color results from hard pruning.
Restricting Growth
Over time, trees and shrubs will often grow to sizes that exceed the space allowed for them. Where space is limited, regular pruning becomes necessary to keep plants in bounds. Regular pruning is necessary on formal hedges to maintain a uniform growth rate. To reduce labor, select plants that will not exceed allotted space.
Pruning Shears
Pruning Shears
Pruning ToolsTop

Pruning shears are good for branches up to 1/2-inch in diameter. Attempting to cut larger branches risks making a poor cut and/or ruining the shears. There are two styles of hand shears: anvil cut and scissor action. In the anvil style, a sharpened blade cuts against a broad, flat plate. In the scissor style, a thin, sharp blade slides closely past a thicker (but also sharp) blade. The scissor style usually costs more, but makes cleaner, closer cuts. Whereas the anvil style, unless very sharp, crushes plant tissue as it cuts. The pruning wounds take longer to heal.
Lopping Shears
Lopping Shears
Lopping shears have long handles and are operated with both hands. Even the cheapest can cut 1/2-inch diameter material. The better ones can slice through branches of 2 inches or more, depending on species and condition (e.g., pin oak is tougher than linden, and dead wood is tougher — until decay sets in — than live wood). Lopping shears also are available in anvil and scissor types. Again, the scissor cut is better than anvil cut lopping shears.
Combination Pole Saw-Pruner
Combination Pole Saw-Pruner
Pole pruners have a cutter with one hooked blade above and a cutting blade beneath. The cutter is on a pole and is operated by a lanyard pulled downward. The poles can either be in sections that fit together or telescoping and can be made of several materials. Wooden poles are heavy. Aluminum poles are light but can conduct electricity if they touch an overhead wire. Fiberglass or some type of plastic compound is probably the best answer. Poles can be fitted with saws, but these are usually very frustrating to use.
Use of pole pruners can be dangerous, as material cut overhead can fall on the operator (unless it hangs up in other branches); exercise caution and wear head and eye protection.
Hedge Shears
Hedge Shears
Hedge shears have long, flat blades and relatively short handles, one for each hand. Heavy-duty shears, with one blade serrated, are good for difficult jobs. Power hedge shears are also available. The most common for home use are electric models.
Fineness of cutting edge is measured in points (teeth per inch). An 8-point saw is for delicate, close work on small shrubs and trees. Average saws are normally 6 points, while 4 1/2- point saws are for fairly heavy limbs.
A fixed-blade saw with a leather scabbard is safer and easier to use. Folding saws either require a screwdriver (for a slotted-head holding screw) or will have a protruding wing nut, which can scar the trunk when a limb is cut. If the saw suddenly folds while in use, the operator's fingers can be injured.
Pruning Saw
Pruning Saw
Blades can be either straight or curved. Many prefer a curved blade that cuts on the draw stroke. A double-edged saw has fine teeth on one side, coarse on the other; these can be difficult to use in densely branched plants.
Bow Saw
Bow Saw
Bow saws are good only where no obstruction exists for a foot or more above the area to be cut.
Chain saws come in a variety of sizes, both gas and electric. However, in general, chainsaws are not appropriate for pruning live plant material. They are better suited to tree removal and cutting firewood.
Care of Tools
Clean and oil tools regularly. Wipe an oily cloth on blades and other surfaces after each use. Keep cutting edges sharp. Several passes with a good oil-stone will usually suffice. Wooden handles should be painted, varnished, or regularly treated with linseed oil. Use tools properly. Don't twist or strain pruners or loppers. Keep the branch to be cut as deeply in the jaws and near the pivot as possible. Don't cut wire with pruning tools.

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