Landscape Installation and Management Pruning

Considerations when Pruning

why pruning, species, JHA, Safety/PPE, Technique, Timing

What to know before pruning

what are you pruning, specific plant, season, reason for pruning and desired result, 5 D’s

Shrub Pruning-Thinning

prune back to existing branch, informal opening up of plant, preserves natural shape, produces least amount of regrowth

Shrub Pruning-Heading

prune back to existing bud, removes growth at branch tips, most amount of re growth,

Timing is important for pruning when:

Fall/Winter: deciduous trees and shrubs, roses, perennials, Spring/Summer: after bloom know type of wood bloods are produced on

General Rule for how much to prune?

no more than 25-30% in one pruning event annually

What is it important to do when pruning hedges?

beval inward at top of hedge

Number 1 rule of pruning

right plant for the right spot, little need for pruning

Pruning ground covers is only necessary to

remove unhealthy tissue, awkward or straggling branches, keep size small, rejuvenate and remove woody growth

Pruning Vines

limit growth, thin stems, branches, and remove dead or damaged wood, direct and control growth, encourage flowers

Espalier Pruning

pinching back during growing season, heavier pruning during dormant season, direct plant growth and branch replacement

Pollarding

tree pruned when young to main branches, removes growth to knuckles, new slender growth

Topiary

Training and pruning young trees, shrubs, vines to grow into geometric shapes

Bonsai

art of dwarfing plants by growing, training and pruning into asthetic shapes, direct growth

What is CODIT

compartmentalization of Decay in Trees

What happens after you top a tree?

clustered growth,weak re-growth, new growth attached by thin layer of healthy tissue

Spurs Produce

flowers

Why is important to prune trees

prevent smaller branches at bottom, broken branches, good shape

A double leader is..

two leading branches at the top of a tree

What is the effects of included bark

broken trees,

Where do you make a pruning cut?

at the Branch bark ridge and on the branch collar at a diagnal

Tree reduction Cuts are 

to cut large branch to attachment point of a smaller branch

Reasons to Prune Trees

manage risks of weak branches, attachments, defects,Improve health, airflow, clearance around structures, lights and training young trees for structure 

When to prune trees

after bird nesting season is possible (Feb-Sept_, avoid heavy pruning after flush of spring growth

When pruning a tree you should

be a reason for each cut, no more than 25% in one pruning event/year

Pruning Technique Cleaning

when weak unhealthy branches removed

Pruning Technique Raising

lower branches removed clearance

Pruning Technique Reduction

height and width reduced by reduction cuts

Pruning Technique Reducing density

foliage at crown periphery thinned for better light/air

Pruning young Trees for Structure

wait for years after establishment, efficient to do from ground/ladder, cheaper, small wounds compartmentalize, well spaced out scaffold sandwitches

Steps for Young Tree Pruning

remove dead dying, broken diseased branches, One upright central leader, lowest permanent scaffold branch, select temporary branches