Pruning Know How

As spring approaches, Pruning has to be a must chore to do before new growth begins. Trees can be worked on to making sure crossing branches are removed. thinning out branches that will never be a part of the main shape of the tree.

Suckers are wild growth stem which are growing from ground next to the trunk or they could be growing off a branch up in the tree/straight up. They need to be removed to help the tree appearance.

Flowering shrubs need to be cut back and thinned out by removing 2 or 3 cane all the way back to the ground.

When pruning, remember that where you make the cut is where the new growth will take place. Hand shears, lopper shears and a small tree saw are your main tools for the pruning task. Hedges shears are alright for the final shaping or for trimming a formal hedge.

Don't use them for all of your pruning work. Remember if you prune only on the outside edge of the plant that is where the new growth will take place.

Using only a hedge shears, the plant over time will form a very thin layer of foliage and the center of the plant will be dead looking with no foliage. Your plant will begin to look like a piece of molded concrete. Let your plants look like they should, just reduce their size.