essential life skills {3} pruning

Are you thinking, “Are you serious?”

I love pruning. I will come and do it for you if you want me too. It is like picking zits. Am I the only one that likes to do that? I know I am not, mom.

This seriously promotes healthy growth for the tree, even if you feel like you are doing a bad thing.

What to Prune from a Tree
A. Suckers that grow from the roots or base of the trunk
B. Limbs that sag or grow close to the ground
C. Branches that form an acute angle with the trunk
D. Watersprouts that shoot up from main “scaffold” branches
E. Limbs that are dead, diseased, or broken
F. Branches that grow parallel to and too close to another
G. Branches that cross or rub against others
H. Limbs that compete with the tree’s central leader

Prune summer-flowering plants, which will flower on the coming season’s new growth, while they are still dormant. Their bare limbs make it easy to see the plant’s structure, and the flush of spring growth will quickly heal wounds.

Prune spring-flowering plants immediately after their blossoms fade. Because they produce flowers only on old growth from the previous season, pruning soon after bloom will maximize flower production the next year. Pinch the candles on whorled-branching conifers when you see new growth.

Thinning cuts remove an entire branch where it meets another limb, the main stem, or the ground. They should be made as close to this junction as possible. These cuts help maintain the plant’s natural shape, limit its size, and open up the interior branches to light and air.

Thinning cuts remove an entire branch where it meets another limb, the main stem, or the ground. They should be made as close to this junction as possible. These cuts help maintain the plant’s natural shape, limit its size, and open up the interior branches to light and air.

Pruning is so divine. There is something so great about cutting a tree or bush back and then watching it flourish.

There was a cotoneaster plant in our yard when we moved it. It was dying. So I cut all the dead branches off. I cut it back to about 6 inches tall. It is now mid thigh-on me. So prune your trees and bushes. They will thank you for it.


4 Responses to “essential life skills {3} pruning”

  • Annie Says:

    You aren’t the only one who likes to “prune.” I prefer scabs, but zits, trees, whatever needs picking or cutting, I’m your girl.

  • cjeppson Says:

    You exposed my soft underbelly 🙂 Yes I was in zit heaven when you guys were teenagers. Just let me feel your arms or back and I will find something to pick. Kenn was also a good one to pick on.

  • anballs Says:

    So how about we trade- you come teach me to prune- seriously!!! and I will babysit your kids while you go do whatever!!! I have read books and gone to seminars but …. Making cuts on my poor trees is too hard to do. I seem to always get it wrong!

  • Kateka Says:

    Oh my. I thought you were going to talk about a whole nother kind of pruning. 🙂

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