Landscape Management Short Course Pruning Trees and Shrubs ... file2/22/2017 1 Landscape Management Short Course Pruning Trees and Shrubs -Principles and Practices Anthony Witcher
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2/22/2017
1
Landscape Management
Short Course
Pruning Trees and Shrubs
-Principles and Practices Anthony Witcher Assistant Professor (Nursery Production and Sustainability) Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center
Minor Changes Made by M. Mote
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Some inexperienced people
may be reluctant to prune Don’t worry, it’ll usually grow
back (like a bad haircut)
Pay attention to the basics
So…why do we prune?
Strengthen the gene pool
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Reasons for Pruning
Remove dead, diseased, wounded limbs
Improve form and shape of a plant
Guide growth habit of a plant
Stimulate new growth
Rejuvenate older plantings
Bud Position
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Bud Arrangement
Tools of the Trade
Hand Pruners
• Anvil & Bypass
Up to 1/2”
Loppers
Hedge Shears
• Manual & Powered
Pruning Saws
Pole Saw
Chainsaw
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Tools of the Trade
Hand Pruners
• Anvil & Bypass
Loppers
• Up to 1.5”
Hedge Shears
• Manual & Powered
Pruning Saws
Pole Saw
Chainsaw
Tools of the Trade
Hand Pruners
• Anvil & Bypass
Loppers
Hedge Shears
• Manual & Powered
• Only for hedging
Pruning Saws
Pole Saw
Chainsaw
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Tools of the Trade
Hand Pruners
• Anvil & Bypass
Loppers
Hedge Shears
• Manual & Powered
Pruning Saws
• 1.5”+
Pole Saw
Chainsaw
Tools of the Trade
Hand Pruners
• Anvil & Bypass
Loppers
Hedge Shears
• Manual & Powered
Pruning Saws
Pole Saw
• Bypass blade and pruning saw
Chainsaw
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Tools of the Trade
Hand Pruners
• Anvil & Bypass
Loppers
Hedge Shears
• Manual & Powered
Pruning Saws
Pole Saw
Chainsaw
Tools of the Trade
Hand Pruners
• Anvil & Bypass
Loppers
Hedge Shears
• Manual & Powered
Pruning Saws
Pole Saw
Chainsaw
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Pruning Young Trees
At planting
• Dead/damaged branches
If these are present, you should find a better plant source!!
• Correct structural defects
Codominant stems
Shape/thin over time to prevent problems
Pruning Young Trees
At planting
• Dead/damaged branches
If these are present, you should find a better plant source!!
• Correct structural defects
Codominant stems
Shape/thin over time to prevent problems
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Pruning Established Trees
Priorities to Consider
• Removal of dead/dying branches
• Clearance for pedestrians or vehicles
• Relieve weight-stressed branches
Prevents injuries and property damage
• Hire a Certified Arborist for large trees
Pruning Established Trees
Crown Cleaning
• Selective removal of
dead, dying, diseased
or weak branches and
water sprouts.
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Pruning Established Trees
Crown Thinning
• Selective removal of healthy,
live branches to increase light
penetration and reduce weight.
Pruning Established Trees
Crown Raising
• Removal of
lower branches
for clearance of
obstacles,
traffic, and
pedestrians
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Pruning Established Trees
Crown Reduction
• Selective removal of
both living and
dead branches to
reduce tree height
or spread
• Do not remove
more than 1/3 of the
crown in a single
event
• If tree is too large for
area, best to cut
down and replant
with smaller tree
Pruning Large Branches
3-Cut Method
• For branches > 1.5” in diameter
• Remove outer branches to reduce
stress on this cut
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Pruning Smaller Branches
Cut back to bud, lateral
branch, or main trunk
Never leave a stub
If cutting to a bud, leave
enough stem to protect bud
Wound Healing
Wound dressing (paint, etc) is not recommended in
most pruning scenarios
A proper cut will heal properly naturally
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Pruning Shrubs
Thinning
• Reduces size of
plant
• Increases plant
density and
flowering potential
• Remove 1/3 of
branches to a
lateral branch or
main trunk
Pruning Shrubs
Rejuvenating/Renewal
• For severely overgrown plants
Azaleas, Chinese hollies, camellias, abelia, nandina
• Cut all branches 6 – 12” above ground
• Timing – Late winter
• Thin/shape new growth to maintain form and size
• NOT recommended for boxwoods or narrow leaf evergreens (juniper, arborvitae, pines, etc.)
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Pruning Shrubs
Shearing/Heading
Back
• Not recommended
• All new growth at outer
edge
• More prone to insect
and disease issues
Pruning Shrub Roses
Knockout, other shrub-
type varieties
• Mid February
• Remove dead/diseased
canes
• Cut back by 1/3 – 1/2 of
height
• Do NOT shear
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Hedge Pruning
Only recommended for formal
gardens
Allow hedges to develop
informal natural growth habit
• Much less work!!
• Can’t be achieved with poor plant
selection
Hedges
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Equipment Innovations
Timing of Pruning
Remove dead/damaged branches any time of year
Late winter ideal for most plants
Delay until newly emerge leaves are hardened off
Late summer and fall pruning may encourage new growth vulnerable to cold damage
Trees
• Late winter is ideal; but mid-summer works too
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Timing of Pruning
Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs
• Camellia, hollies, boxwood
• Require very little pruning
• Late winter
Narrow Leaf Evergreens
• Junipers, spruce, fir, arborvitae,
cryptomeria
• Late winter/early spring before
growth begins
• Never prune into old wood behind
foliage
Timing of Pruning
Flowering Trees & Shrubs
• Spring flowering (Before July 1)
Bloom on previous season’s growth
Azalea, forsythia, spirea, lilac
Immediately following flowering
• Summer/Fall Flowering
Bloom on current season’s growth
Crape myrtle, abelia, vitex, butterfly bush
Dormant season (late winter)
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Timing of Pruning
Flowering Trees & Shrubs
• Spring flowering (Before July 1)
Bloom on previous season’s growth
Azalea, forsythia, spirea, lilac
Immediately following flowering
• Summer/Fall Flowering (After July 1)
Bloom on current season’s growth
Crape myrtle, abelia, vitex, butterfly bush
Dormant season (late winter)
Pruning for Disease
Management
Pruning helps:
Maintain air circulation
and sunlight penetration
into canopy
• Prevents disease
establishment
Reduce spread of spread
of pathogens from
infected branches
Limit new damage to
branches during storms
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Pruning for Disease
Management
Always sterilize pruning tools between cuts with household bleach (25% solution) or rubbing alcohol (50% solution)
Prune during dormant season to prevent spread
• Wounds heal before environment is ideal for pathogens
• Insect vectors may be attracted to plant sap
Remove and Destroy all infected trimmings/leaves
Alternatives
• Plant resistant varieties
Pruning for Disease
Management
Specific Diseases – Some Hope
Fire blight (Pears, apples, etc.)
• Remove infected branches 10-
12” below visible symptoms
• Remove during dormant season
Black Knot (Plum, cherry, etc.)
• Remove infected branches at
least 4” below knot
• Remove during dormant season
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Pruning for Disease
Management
Specific Diseases – No Hope
Boxwood Blight
• After confirmation, remove and
destroy whole plant and all leaf
debris
Rose rosette
• After confirmation, remove and
destroy plant and adjoining
plants
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