Feb 24, 2016
LandscapePruning.Trees
Presented by Dr. Teri HamlinGeorgia Department of Education
The appearance of a properly pruned plant is like a good hair cut: hardly noticeable at first glance. LandscapePruning Trees
1PruningPruning at Planting: If quality plant stock, pruning is not necessary
Do not prune to compensate for root losslatest research show pruning does not help overcome transplant shock
2Why PruneRemoval of dead, broken, diseased, or insect-infested branches
Maintain desired shape & size (make it look natural)
Promote healthy vigorous growth
Promote flowering & fruitingAllow air and light to enter the interior of the plant.
3Pruning Tools
Sharp&Sterile
4Pruning ToolsHand Shears: branches up to in diameterLopping Shears: branches to 1 in diameterPruning Saw: branches larger than 1 in diamterChain Saw: branches larger than 3Pole Pruner: long-handled pruner to reach into canopy w/o a ladder. (power pole pruner)Hedge Shears: hedges and other shrubs up to in diameterGrass shears: 2 blades designed to cut grass around edges of walks or flower beds.5Making the Cut
Directional Pruning- cuts should be about in above bud or beyond branch collar6Cuts should be made about above the bud or just beyond the branch collar.Making the Cut
7Pruning TechniqueHeading Removes a part of a shoot
ThinningRemoves the entire shoot or limb
8Dont top a tree as it is considered a harmful practice.Pruning Technique
Thinning Selectively cutting oldest branches to ground opens center and promotes new growth9Pruning TechniqueHeadingUse for small leaf hedges
Creates dense, tight foliage
10Prime hedge narrower at top than at bottom.Rejuvenating/RenewalRestore overgrown shrubs
Cut all branches 4-8 above ground
If there are any diseased or dead plants you should remove them first.
11If there are dead or diseased plants you should remove them before the disease spreads.Crown ThinningNo more than one-fourth of the living branches should be removed at one time
12Crown RaisingRemove branch from bottom to provide clearance
After pruning the ratio of living crown to total tree height should be at least two-thirds
13Crown Reduction
Ratio of live crown to total tree height should be at least two-thirds
Never cut main branches of tree back to stubs (Topping Trees)14Pruning Young TreeA. Remove suckers
B. Low Growing Branches interfere w/maintenance practices
C. Upright growing shoots or waterspouts
D. Inward growing branches
E. Branches that compete with a central leader
15Large LimbsA. Make partial cut from underneath
B. Make a second cut from above several inches outallows the limb to fall
C. Complete job with final cut just outside the branch collar
16Pruning Limbs
An Improper Cutmade through the branch collar will take 3x longer to heal17Pruning TimeGeneral RuleTrees & Plants that flower before May Prune after bloomDogwood, Redbud, Saucer Magnolia, Flowering CherryAzalea, Forsythia, Rhododendron, Clematis, Climbing rosesTrees & Plants that flower after MayPrune prior to spring growthChaste Tree, Crape Myrtle, SourwoodCamellia, Nandina, Sweetshrub, Abelia, Floribunda roses18North Carolina Pruning TimeJanuary - MarchBroadleaf evergreenNeedleaf evergreenRenewal PruningLarge Tree Limbs
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20Pruning Paint Correct ToolsCorrect TimeCorrect TechniquePlacebo - making the user feel goodResearch shows that paint or wound dressings do not stop decay nor cause the wound to close fasterSuccessful Pruning
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24www.planitdiy.com/how-to-prune-trees-and-shrubs/25What To Prune?On your Pruning Worksheet put a line through the parts of the tree or shrub that you feel should be pruned and tell why.Mark in pencil so you can make corrections if needed.26Plant #1:Create a central leader on this young plant.
27Plant #2:Allow plant to have a higher canopy
28Plant #3:Open the Canopy
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