There are many reasons to prune trees and shrubs and it is one of the best preventative maintenance ways to ensure beautiful and healthy growth. Pruning to remove dead or dying stems or branches, branches or overgrown shrubs that may pose a danger to people, and pruning overgrown shrubs and trees to maintain a more uniform look are all reasons that this activity should be done on a regular basis.

Let’s look at a quick list of tips as to how to prune trees and shrubs and the tools necessary to get the job done:

1. When to get the job done: Pruning is best done in late winter, just before spring growth begins. This will ensure that any open wounds created are repaired quickly once new growth begins. In addition, the lack of leaves and new growth will help to make the process easier to perform as well.

2. Small Shrubs or bushes: Pruning should begin soon after a plan begins to grow. This will encourage growth in a certain fashion and lessen the possibility that misshapen bushes will result. Look to prune branch growth that focuses inward, or overlaps with surrounding grown. Also, immediately remove any growth that is dead or dying. Always prune just above a bud that is facing to the outside of the shrub to encourage full growth. Pruning shears are great for small shrubs and pushes whereas hedge shears should be used as the plant gets larger. These will helps to shape the overall shrub once it gets bigger as well.

3. Small trees: Pruning a small tree is no different in principal than trimming a bush or shrub. It is extremely important to maintain the overall form of the tree in the early stages though as deformities and lopsided growth can often occur at this stage. Again, in most cases, a quality set of pruning shears will be all that is needed.

4. Larger Trees: Pruning larger trees poses a bit more of a difficult scenario merely because of the size of the branches themselves. In most cases, lopping shears is what is required. These are simply pruning shear with longer handles, but they provide much more leverage to cut through thicker branches. It is important to not damage the bark of the tree when taking out branches so when pruning trees, it is often necessary to make multiple cuts to a branch to ensure it is removed easily without damaging other parts of the tree. To do this, choose a spot about 18 inches from the tree base and make a cut that is about 1/3 of the way through the branch. THEN, move out about an inch or two from that and cut all the way through the branch. This will ensure that the weight of the entire branch does not pull the branch down and pull bark as it rips free. Now, you are left with a branch that extends about 18 inches from the base of the tree. You can now safely cut the branch at its base, which is JUST beyond the outcropping known as the branch collar swelling. This will protect the integrity and health of the main tree itself.

Pruning is certainly not difficult if you take your time and learn a little more about the specifics of each tree or bush you will be working with. Every growth varies in its ability to repair itself and continue to grow healthily. Make sure your cuts never damage the main growth stem and you cut ABOVE buds of growth that you want to sprout and add to the shape and fullness of the tree or shrub itself. In addition, make sure to use the right tools for the job…sharp shears will give you quality SAFE results the next time you are called for a pruning job.

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