How to Prune a Tree

July 7, 2016
Blain's Farm & Fleet

Learn how to prune a tree with the help of Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

Keep your lawn and trees thriving by learning how to prune a tree. With the right equipment and a little know-how, you can keep your trees happy and healthy. Before you get started, read through our article about pruning trees and shrubs, and the benefits that come with the common lawn care task.

How to Prune a Tree:

1. Before you start pruning, make sure you have the proper safety equipment including protective gloves and protective eyewear.

2. Begin pruning by assessing the shape of your tree, and decide which shape and direction you want the tree to grow.

3. Avoid removing major branches of the tree, but remove any branches that are damaged. When you cut off the damaged branches, the nutrients they were using can be used by the healthy parts of the tree.

4. Make thinning cuts to areas that are thick and full of branches, which should be made slightly above the parent branch. Prune branches that can be obstructive to your walkway or lawn. For smaller branches, you can use one-handed pruning shears, and for medium branches, use lopping shears. You will only want to prune up to 25 percent of a tree’s growth.

5. If you plan on cutting off larger branches, you will want to use a pruning saw. Undercut the limb about a fourth of the way through the branch, between six and 12 inches from the trunk, and then cut through the top of the limb, about one inch beyond the initial cut. Cut the final stub right above the branch collar.

Pruning trees can help with tree health and growth. For more tips on tree care and maintenance, visit our Lawn Care blog.