{"id":2018,"date":"2015-03-11T18:36:41","date_gmt":"2015-03-11T23:36:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.farmandfleet.com\/blog\/?p=2018"},"modified":"2024-02-21T11:49:07","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T17:49:07","slug":"pruning-trees-and-shrubs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.farmandfleet.com\/blog\/pruning-trees-and-shrubs\/","title":{"rendered":"Pruning Trees and Shrubs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pruning your trees and shrubs is a great way to get ready for spring.<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s about the time of the year when you start getting your lawn and garden ready for warmer weather. Before the trees and shrubs start blossoming, give them a good pruning. Learn about when and how to prune your trees.<\/p>\n

When to Start Pruning Trees & Shrubs<\/h3>\n

Your best bet for a beautiful spring bloom is to prune in the winter. Winter is the dormant part of a tree\u2019s growth. You will want to wait until the coldest part of winter has passed. Pruning during the winter is great for trees and shrubs. There are no leaves to get in your way of pruning. This makes it easier to see how the plant is structured. \u00a0The trees and shrubs will have more energy reserved for growing new branches and leaves after a good pruning.<\/p>\n

There are some trees you won\u2019t want to prune during the winter, though. Some species of trees are prone to oozing sap if they\u2019re pruned in the wrong season. It\u2019s not harmful to the tree, but it can cause a sticky and dirty mess. Steer clear of maple, birch, dogwood, walnut and elm trees. It\u2019s best to prune these trees in the midsummer.<\/p>\n

Of course, dead, weak or damaged branches can be removed at any time. Just remember the seasons when serious pruning should be done. If you don\u2019t time your pruning correctly, you\u2019re at the risk of damaging the plant\u2019s growth and possible flower production.<\/p>\n

Tree Pruning Tips<\/h3>\n

Make sure you\u2019re cutting off only what is necessary. You will want to remove dead or dying branches. Also prune out diseased limbs. Cut below the diseased area.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re pruning a tree, start at the top and work downwards. For tall branches, use a pole saw<\/a> or extendable pruner<\/a>. Some have a saw and shears on the same tool. If you are doing a major pruning project for a large tree, hire a professional arborist for the job.<\/p>\n

If you are shortening a smaller branch, make the cut at a slight angle leaving about \u00bc inch space beyond the bud. Make sure it\u2019s a clean and sharp cut. Use a one-hand pruning shears<\/a> with curved blades, known as secateurs, on young trees. For larger branches, cut off at least 1\/3 of the branch to lessen the weight you\u2019ll have to hold up while pruning. Undercut the stub so you don\u2019t rip the tree bark when the remaining stub falls loose.<\/p>\n

Finally, cut the tree branch right outside the branch collar. The branch collar is the lumpy area where the branch meets the tree trunk. If you cut into the tree trunk, you will delay the cut wound from sealing properly. If you cut too far away from the trunk, you give insects a way of entering the tree. If you leave a protruding stub, it can lead to infection and rot.<\/p>\n

Shrub Pruning Tips<\/h3>\n

If you are pruning a younger shrub, you\u2019ll want to help the plant grow fuller. Use a hand pruner to trim unbranched long stems, above the healthy bud. Whichever direction you trim the bud tip, that\u2019s the way the new branch will grow. Do this type of pruning during the appropriate season.<\/p>\n

As your shrub continues to grow, cut old or damaged branches when they grow together with another branch. This allows the interior part of the shrub to get more sunlight, which helps the growth and health of the plant.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Clean up your trees and shrubs and keep them healthy with a proper pruning. Find out when you should start pruning and how to do it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":2036,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1379],"tags":[1493],"content_type":[1371,1373],"class_list":["post-2018","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lawn-garden","tag-trees","content_type-how-to","content_type-article"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nPruning Trees and Shrubs | Blain's Farm & Fleet<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Clean up your trees and shrubs and keep them healthy with a proper pruning. 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