How To Prune

For some of us, the thought of pruning becomes a nightmare. Where to trim? How to cut? When to stop?

For others, our pruning becomes a nightmare for the plant. We become cutting crazies, leaving shorn and forlorn trees and shrubs in our wake.

Proper pruning is important for a number of reasons. It spaces branches so there is room for future growth, reduces the wind and ice loading on the top of trees, and promotes better air flow through the branches, helping keep disease incidence down.

To prune a tree correctly, remove all dead and diseased branches first. Then remove any crossed branches, or those that rub against each other.

Next, raise the tree's lower branches for underneath clearance, as may be needed. Remove these lower branches to create a height proportion of one third or less trunk to two thirds or more foliage. As the tree grows taller, clear the lower branches up to a height of eight and a half feet for pedestrian access, and up to 16 feet for vehicular clearance.

To create proper spacing between branches, remove branches while the tree is still relatively young, following the natural growth of the tree.

Some trees, such as the maple have opposite buds that directly face each other across the diameter of a limb. In time these buds produce limbs that will grow straight out at the same level, but on opposite sides of the trunk. Remove both limbs in the pair when space between other pairs above or below is less than 12-18 inches apart.

Other trees have alternate buds like the oak, which sprout at different levels across the branch or trunk from each other. To properly prune this kind of tree, remove the branches at approximately one foot to 18 inch intervals, moving around the tree to create a spiral, staircase effect with the branches.

Prune new trees sparingly for the first year or two, and as often as necessary at two to five year intervals after that. This sets the tree's shape for the rest of its life. If you want to create clearance underneath the tree, remove one or two branches each year until the desired height is reached.

To correctly remove an individual branch, make an initial cut a few inches deep from the bottom of the branch to the top12 to 18 inches of the trunk.

The second cut should be all the way through the branch starting from the top of the limb about one inch farther out from the initial cut. This will remove the primary weight of the limb and prevent bark down the trunk. Once this weight is removed, make the final cut at the branch bark collar. This is the point where the branch makes a slight, but abrupt change in size right in front of the trunk.

Studies have shown that removing a branch at this point helps the tree close over the exposed area faster. If a branch is cut flush with the trunk of the tree, instead of the branch collar, an area twice the size will be exposed, taking longer to close and leaving the tree more vulnerable to rot.

Follow these simple guidelines when pruning trees, and eliminate those frightful gardening nightmares.