pruning how-to guide for gardeners

[...]... and tree supports will counteract this effect See opposite page for more information on establishing renewal leaders SUMMER PRUNING Summer pruning of vigorous young trees reduces tree vigor, but does not interfere with flower-bud formation Pruning during or soon after bloom stimulates as much regrowth as dormant pruning Later summer pruning creates a dwarfing effect up to the time when shoot growth... foliage or woody growth Light pruning usually means less than 1/3 the branch length or amount of growth is removed Plants that are not tolerant of pruning or are slow-growing should receive light pruning Hard Pruning Usually means removal of two-thirds or more of the foliage or woody growth Plants that require hard pruning are tolerant of pruning Growth is usually stimulated by pruning Good training of... las Hamilton He is horticultural advisor for the University proper pruning to reach this size It is healthy and attractive, providing plenty of shade for its owners of California's Cooperative Extension Service, serving Alameda, Contra Costa and Santa Clara counties Trees are an important part of our natural surroundings If undamaged, trees can live for years Unfortunately, trees are damaged by a wide... spurs See pruning of individual species for details Pruning to Increase Fruit—Deciduous fruit trees differentiate flower buds from leaf buds the year before the spring when these buds open, bloom and set fruit In midwinter, flower buds are easily distinguished from leaf buds Flower buds are larger and rounder than leaf buds Normally, more flower buds are produced than are needed for a good crop Pruning. .. ONE-HAND PRUNING SHEARS Two basic types of one-hand pruning shears are available Both shears are designed for light -pruning cuts They each have advantages and disadvantages The choice between the two shears is a matter of personal preference Anvil Type—These shears cut by action of a straight blade against an anvil Anvil-type shears are less likely to be sprung open if used for too-heavy a cut Some gardeners. .. grow longer DEGREES OF PRUNING When asked how to prune a particular plant, expert gardeners often answer "Prune hard or prune light." These are general terms, but they do have consistent meanings There are intermediate terms, too, and every gardener must interpret these terms in individual applications The following pruning descriptions and common sense are the best guides Light Pruning Suggests minimal... apart when ice forming in them expands Tying-Out—This method is used in conjunction with bending and spreading Tying-out involves tying branches into desired positions Branches can be tied down with ropes or wire cable to help develop wider crotch angles Branches can be tied to the central leader to help support them Pruning Pruning is used as little as possible for training purposes Pruning reduces... previous season This is not true for trees that bear on long-lived spurs Pruning is necessary to keep trees accessible for spraying thinning and harvesting Tree height must be limited and openings made for ladders Foliage must be thinned so chemical sprays penetrate and coat foliage and branches This is especially important to control scale insects and spider mites Pruning also helps maintain good-quality... helps you determine the location of pruning cuts Fruit-bearing wood is positioned terminally, laterally or both See the table below for fruiting habits of various fruit trees Bearing habit influences the number and kind of pruning cuts Species that fruit only on current-season's or previous-season's growth require more pruning than trees that fruit on spurs More pruning is required to renew fruiting... handle for a good grip Curved saws with raker teeth have a deep slot after every fifth saw tooth to carry away sawdust Raker teeth work best for cutting green wood Curved saws with lance teeth are best for cutting deadwood Lance teeth are all the same size Tree Surgery Saw—This saw is similar in appearance to a carpenter's saw The teeth cut only on the forward stroke Tree surgery saws are used for trimming . general, use the following statements as a guide. For information on specific plants, consult the Ency- clopedia section for details on results of pruning and when to prune. Dormant Season,. undesirable. PLANT GROWTH STIMULATED Pruning in any form stimulates new growth near cuts. Usually several lateral buds form new shoots, or water sprouts, just below pruning cuts. These new shoots. also look for evidence of old or new wounds, insect damage and broken limbs. Plant Response to Pruning How different plants respond to pruning depends on apical dominance, type of pruning cuts