THE GARDEN WEBSITE.COM
  • Home
  • About, Services, Contact
  • Blog
  • Ask Amanda
  • Roses
    • Roses
    • Types of Roses
    • Easy Roses
    • Climbing Roses
    • Portland's Rose Test Garden
    • Rose Insects & Diseases
    • Pruning Roses
    • Rose Sawfly
    • Rose Bloom Balling
  • Pruning
    • Pruning Tools
    • Winter Pruning
    • Pruning Grapes
    • Pruning Clematis
    • Prune Your Own Garden Registration
  • Lawn
    • Lawn Maintenance Schedule
    • Spring Lawn Care
    • Moss in Lawns
    • Lawn Grub Control
    • Lawn Reno, Seed & Sod
  • Mulching
    • Living Mulches - Groundcovers
  • Propagation
    • Growing Seeds Outdoors
    • Growing Seeds Indoors
    • Taking Cuttings
    • Seed & Plant Catalogues
  • Home
  • About, Services, Contact
  • Ask Amanda
  • Roses
    • Types of Roses
    • Easy Roses
    • Climbing Roses
    • Portland's Rose Test Garden
    • Rose Insects & Diseases
    • Pruning Roses
    • Rose Sawfly
    • Rose Bloom Balling
  • Pruning Basics 101
    • Pruning Tools
    • Winter Pruning
    • Pruning Grapes
    • Pruning Clematis
    • Prune Your Own Garden Registration
  • Lawn Basics
    • Lawn Reno, Seed & Sod
    • Lawn Maintenance Schedule
    • Spring Lawn Care
    • Moss in Lawns
    • Lawn Alternatives
    • Lawn Grub Control
  • Mulch & Mulching
    • Living Mulches - Groundcovers
  • Propagation
    • Growing Seeds Outdoors
    • Growing Seeds Indoors
    • Taking Cuttings
    • Seed & Plant Catalogues
  • How to Garden Topics
    • Fall Garden Chores
    • Planting Know-How
    • Soil Building
    • Watering Tips & Techniques
    • Drought Gardening
    • Sheet Mulching, Lasagna Gardening
    • Cover Crops
    • Composting
    • Compost Tea
    • Houseplant Winter Care
    • Hummingbirds in Winter
    • Winterize Your Garden
    • Ponds in Winter
  • Growing Food
    • Spring Veggie Gardening
    • Crop Rotation, Succession & Companion Planting
    • Harvesting
    • Growing Potatoes
    • Winter Veggie Gardening
    • Taming Tomatoes
    • Speeding up Tomato Harvest
    • Tomato Tips
    • Saving Tomato Seeds
    • Tomato Troubles
  • Plant Pests 1
    • Plant Pests Part 2 - Controlling Insects
    • Garden Inspections
    • Helping Pollinators
    • Dogwood Anthracnose
    • Viburnum Leaf Beetle
    • Dormant Oil/Lime Sulfur
    • Japanese Beetles
    • Peony Blotch/Measles
    • Slugs & Snails
    • Horsetail, the Weed
    • June Beetle
    • Powdery Mildew
    • Soil Solarization
    • Rhododendron Leaf Spot
    • Plant Rusts
    • Black Knot
  • Container Growing
    • Choosing a Container
  • Feeding Plants 101
    • Fertilizers & Ratios
    • Nutritional Deficiencies & Toxicities
    • Organic Plant Food
  • Plant of the Month
    • Spring Flowering Bulbs
    • Colourful Fall Plants
    • Abelia
    • American Sweetgum
    • Ash (Fraxinus) Trees
    • Astilbes
    • Aubretia, Rock Cress
    • Aucuba, Japanese Spotted Laurel
    • Autumn Crocus
    • Bear's Breeches
    • Beautyberry, Callicarpa
    • Black-eyed Susans
    • Bleeding Heart, Lamprocapnos spectabilis
    • Calla Lilies
    • Dahlias
    • Daylily
    • Delphiniums
    • Devil's Walking Stick, Aralia spinosa
    • Dwarf Alberta Spruce
    • Dwarf Burning Bush
    • Fall Asters
    • Flowering Currants
    • Flowering Quince
    • Fritillaria
    • Garden Peonies
    • Garden Phlox
    • Ginkgo biloba
    • Grape-hyacinths
    • Handkerchief or Dove Tree
    • Harry Lauder's Walking Stick
    • Heathers
    • Hellebores, Lenten roses
    • Himalayan Sweet Box
    • Jack-in-the-pulpit, Cobra Lily
    • Japanese Anemones
    • Japanese Forest Grass
    • Japanese Maples
    • Japanese Skimmia
    • Japanese Spurge
    • Laurustinus viburnum
    • Lavenders
    • Lily-of-the-Valley Shrub, Pieris japonica
    • Mediterranean Spurge
    • Mexican Mock Orange
    • Montana Clematis
    • Mountain Ash
    • Oriental Poppies
    • Oriental Lilies
    • Paperbark Maple
    • Pink Dawn Bodnant Viburnum
    • Poinsettias
    • Oregon Grape Holly
    • Ornamental Kale
    • Peruvian Lily, Alstroemeria
    • Phalaenopsis, Moth Orchids
    • Persian Silk Tree
    • Portuguese Laurel
    • Rose of Sharon
    • Sneezeweed, Helenium
    • Snowberry
    • Snowdrops
    • Star Magnolia
    • Strawberry Tree, Pacific Madrone
    • Stewartia
    • Torch Lily, Kniphofia uvaria
    • Tree Peonies
    • Tuberous Begonias
    • Virginia Creeper
    • Weigela
    • Winterhazel, Corylopsis
    • Winter Camellia, C. sasanqua
    • Wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens
    • Witch Hazel
    • Wood Anemones
    • Yews
  • Garden Tour Blogs
  • Monthly Flower Arrangements
  • Website Index
  • Subscribe
  • Need Help?

Pruning Basics 101

Amanda's Garden Consulting Company
Use pruning to help trees, not to control them.

 Pruning Basics - Remove ASAP - What to Do - 3 Step Method - Timing -
What to Remove - Where to Prune - Please don't... - Safety

Pruning Basics

pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
When pruning, honour the shape of the tree and the intricacies of their beautiful branches.
Pruning is often used to reduce the size of trees and shrubs, but that’s not its purpose. Correct pruning practices are based on maintaining plant health. When a plant grows too big for its britches, it should be replaced with one that fits the space. In other words as the old adage goes ‘right plant, right place’.
 
Another misconception is that all woody plants (trees and shrubs) need a good hacking back every year in order for them to flower. Nothing could be further from the truth. Plants have flourished and flowered on this planet without our help for millennia. There are numerous reasons why a tree, shrub or vine doesn't flower. Inadequate sunlight and incorrect pruning are the biggest culprits. Correct timing as well as not removing too much at one time is essential if you want flowers, fruit and happy plants. For those plants that fail to flower, despite receiving adequate sunlight, refrain from pruning them. Eventually, they should flower on their own without any assistance. 
 
Inspecting your trees and shrubs is a good idea, but that doesn't mean they should be pruned annually. They do need selective pruning to remove undesirable growth to maintain plant health. Keep in mind when pruning a plant that you are injuring it. You are removing its parts and exposing fresh wood to the elements. You are also removing their leaves and stems, which makes food for the plant. It takes a while to recover, so don't take more than 1/4 of overall growth at one time. Avoid pruning when a plant is under stress due to drought, lack of food etc. Be thoughtful of what and how much you remove and if in doubt - put the pruning gear down and slowly walk away from the plant! 


Picture
Hiring a Professional 
For big jobs it is best to hire a professional ISA (International Society of Arborist) certified arborists. Ask for references and to inspect previous jobs. Be wary of those that claim to know how to prune, but do not. A pickup truck and a chainsaw does not make an arborist as many mangled trees can attest to. 
Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora',peegee hydrangea,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
A Peegee hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora') should be pruned in fall or winter.

Remove As Soon As Possible

  • Any dead and dying plant parts.
  • Anything that is diseased or rotting.
  • All broken branches.
  • Suckers.
  • Watersprouts.
pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Remove dead branches any time of year.
pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Remove watersprouts. They grow vertically along branches.
pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Remove suckers from poorly pruned branches.

pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Remove all broken branches any time of year.
pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Remove suckers that emerge from the base of plants and their roots.

What to do Before Pruning

  • What’s your objective? Before you start, decide what you want to achieve: remove dead and old wood, cut off watersprouts, encourage flowers, remove errant growth etc.
  • Know the natural shape of the plant before pruning. Weeping trees must weep, spreading plants must spread!
Betula pendula 'Youngii' weeping birch,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
A 'Young's' weeping birch has a graceful weeping form.
Betula pendula 'Youngii' weeping birch,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
This 'Young's' weeping birch has obviously has been butchered.

Pruning Tips

Ribes sanguineum,flowering currant,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Prune flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum), and most other plants, right after they finish flowering.
rose node,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Cut stems just above a node (bud) on a 45 degree angle to allow water to drain off.
  • Timing: The best time to prune most plants is right after flowering.
  • Large branches: Remove heavy and long branches with the 3 step method (jump cut) - see below.
  • Long branches: Start by cutting them in pieces starting off at the end of the branch and working you way towards its base.  
  • Where to cut a stem: Cut back stems to an outward facing shoot or bud that faces away from the inside of the plant.
  • Where to remove a branch: Cut branches just outside the branch ridge (see below). 
  • Angle of cut: To allow water to drain off make cuts at a 45 degree angle slanting downward away from the bud, ¼ inch above an outward facing bud (node).
  • Cleanliness: Disinfect pruning tools after each plant.
  • Reduce infections/infestations: Disinfect pruning tools after each cut if the plant has diseases or insects.
  • Aftercare: Water and feed plants after pruning especially during the growing season and during dry periods.

Pruning - Timing

Cornus 'Eddie's White Wonder' dogwood,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Don't prune spring flowering plants like this 'Eddie's White Wonder' dogwood from summer to spring, as you will be removing all their flowers.
  • Winter pruning: Pruning when plants are dormant encourages growth (including suckers and watersprouts).
  • Summer pruning: Pruning when plants are actively growing, slows growth and reduces suckers and watersprouts.
  • Spring pruning: Avoid pruning in spring when foliage has just emerged as this stresses plants.
  • Spring flowering plants: Prune just after they finish flowering. Avoid pruning in summer, fall and winter.
  • Summer flowering plants: Prune summer and fall flowering plants after flowering through to early spring. Avoid pruning from September through fall.
  • Fruit trees: Prune twice: winter and summer.
  • Conifers 1: If necessary prune hemlock, yews, Douglas fir, firs, spruce in winter or late summer.
  • Conifers 2: If necessary prune cedars, junipers, arborvitae, pines, false cypress (Chamaecyparis sp.) in late spring and early summer. 
  • Cedar/arborvitae (Thuja sp.,) hedges: Trim hedges no later than early September. 
rhododendron,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Prune rhododendrons, azaleas and other spring flowering plants right after they finish flowering.
Picture
To encourage more fruit and a healthier tree, prune apples in winter and summer.
Hibiscus syriacus,rose of sharon,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
To make Rose of Sharon more compact prune in winter or in early spring.
cedar hedge trimming,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Trim cedar (Thuja) hedges by early September so any new growth that develops doesn't become damaged by frost.
Chaenomeles Superba Salmon Horizon,
Tame grapes and promote more fruit in summer and winter.
butterfly bush pruning,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Cut back butterfly bush once their leaves fall in autumn or in late winter.
wisteria,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
To tame wisterias and to promote flowers cut back all side shoots to a few buds in winter and summer.

What to Remove

apple tree pruning,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
An apple tree before being pruned.
apple tree pruning,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
The same apple tree after some judicious pruning.
  • Weak and spindly stems.
  • Crossing stems.
  • Stems that touch and ones that rub each other.
  • Low branches that are in the way of pedestrians, vehicles etc.
  • Branches that are too long that distract from the shape of the plant.
  • Old, mature branches that no longer that bear few or no flowers and/or fruit.
  • Tree limbs that touch the eaves and roof to prevent critters from entering the house. 
  • Stems that grow towards the center of the plant.
  • Stubs: they are remnants of branches that weren’t cut at the branch collar.
  • Branches grow parallel to each other and ones that are too close.
  • Branches attached to the trunk at a narrow angle – 45 degrees or less.
  • Planting: remove flowers and fruit when planting and transplanting to reduce stress.
  • Suckers that grow from the roots from grafted and non-grafted plants.
  • Sports: Stems on cultivars, that have reverted back to their non-cultivated species ex: the Dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca 'Conica') often converts back to its original species, the white spruce (Picea glauca). 
pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Remove this stub before it dies back, compromising the tree's health.
Picture
Remove tree limbs that touch the house to prevent critter infestation. Hire a pro where necessary.
pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Remove spindly stems.
suckers,grafted plants,rootstock,Hamamelis virginiana,witch hazel,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
This purple leaved witch hazel has been grafted on a green rootstock, which has started to grow. Pull off the green stems so they don't take over.
hydrangea,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Remove old stems from shrubs, just like this peeling hydrangea branch.
dwarf Alberta spruce,Picea glauca 'Conica',revertion,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
This dwarf Alberta spruce is a cultivated variety of a white spruce, however, the branches on the right are converting back to the white spruce. The must be removed before thy take over the dwarf version.
rose suckers,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Remove suckers that grow from the rootstock of grafted varieties.
pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
A rose sucker on the left grew from below the bud union. The branch on the right is not a sucker.
crossing branches,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Either one of these branches should be removed.
crossing branches,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
It's best to remove horizontal branch.
Cornus sericea,red twig dogwood,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Once red twig dogwood branches mature they lose their colour and should be removed.
Cornus sericea,red twig dogwood,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
A red twig dogwood with only new colourful stems remaining.

Where to Prune

stem morphology,Cornus sericea,red twig dogwood,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
A typical stem consists of nodes. These nodes resemble bumps along the stem and they are flower, foliage and stems buds. The terminal tip (apical meristem) ensures the stem elongates inhibiting branching. Removal of the apical meristem, encourages the remaining buds to grow.
branch ridge,branch collar,Cornus sericea,red twig dogwood,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
To remove a branch, cut just above its branch ridge.
Cornus sericea,red twig dogwood,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Cut hydrangea stems in winter just above two fat buds.
pine candle pruning,Cornus sericea,red twig dogwood,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Pinch pine candles in half in June.
plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
To remove a stem, cut it off at its base.
  • Trees: Avoid stubs. Cut back branches to a side branch, or remove it fully at its base just above the branch collar. Don’t sever a branch in the middle.

  • Shorten branches: On both trees and shrubs shorten branches by cutting them back to a side branch.
  • Buds/Nodes: Wherever the bud is pointing is where it will grow. Cut just above a node will dictate the direction the stem will grow.
  • Stem direction: Cut stems just above a bud (node) that faces away from the plant’s centre.
  • Branch collars: Remove tree branches where they join the trunk or another branch. Cut branches off just above the branch collar.
  • Tree leaders: Don’t cut off the leader (the main stem) on trees with a single trunk.
  • Promote more fruit: On apples, pears, plums and nectarines, cut side shoots back to 2 to 4 nodes (buds) in summer and winter.
  • Pines: Pinch their ‘candles’ in half in June to reduce their length.        ​
Cornus sericea,red twig dogwood,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
To shorten shrub and vine branches, cut just above a node (bud).
shorten stems,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Shorten stems on roses and other shrubs by pruning just above leaf, a bud or a node.
canopy reduction,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
To shorten branches, cut just above a side branch.
Cornus sericea,red twig dogwood,pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Branching occurs when the end of a stem is removed (terminal tip, apical meristem).
nodes,apical meristem,stem morphology,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Parts of a lilac branch.
shortening branches,crown reduction,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
To shorten a branch, cut back to a lateral (side) branch.

apple pruning,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Cut side shoots back to a few nodes (buds) from apple trees in winter and summer.
apple fruiting spurs,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Apples form on fruiting spurs so don't prune them off.

Shrubs

Ceanothus arboreus,California lilac,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
A California lilac before being pruned.
Ceanothus arboreus,California lilac,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
The same plant after being pruned.
Although most shrubs are quite tolerant of being cut back, they do need to be thinned.  When all the stems are cut back, especially at the same height, it promotes bushiness at the ends of the stem but the lower parts become bare over time. To rectify, the centre of the shrub needs to be cleaned out every few years. Here's some tips on how to prune shrubs.
  • To Ensure Flowers: Prune directly after flowering.
  • Shrubs Thinning: Thin shrubs before cutting back the remaining stems. Sit down on the ground and remove all branches that cross, grow towards the plant centre, and ones that are spindly, weak and old. 
  • For Denser Branching: Cut branches back just above a branch, outward facing bud or remove the branch.
  • Renewal Pruning: For shrubs that have been topped too often, a more sever pruning is necessary. This is best done when the plant is dormant. 
Japanese spirea,Spiraea japonica,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
A Japanese spirea needs some rejuvenation pruning.
Japanese spirea,Spiraea japonica,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
The same plant after some serious renewal pruning.

Things Not to Do

Japanese maple,Acer palmatum,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
What a Japanese maple tree is supposed to look like.
bad pruning,topped tree,Japanese maple,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
A hacked Japanese maple. Too much has been removed and incorrectly.
incorrect pruning,topping trees,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Don't sever tree limbs as they will be replaced with suckers, which are obviously no true branches.
topping,heading back,hat-racking,bad pruning,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Don't top trees! Don't cut more than 1/4 growth off at one time. To shorten branches, cut them back to a lower side branch or remove them entirely.
Please don't:
  • prune plants if they don’t need it.
  • prune spruce, pine and other conifers: just remove errant branches.
  • remove or cut back all the branches from a tree.
  • cut off a tree’s leader (the main trunk).
  • cut back all a plant’s stems when transplanting.
  • prune spring flowering plants before flowering.
  • prune spring flowering plants in summer, fall and winter.
  • prune in October, November and December.
  • prune just before a plant’s flowering period if you want flowers or fruit.
  • remove more than ¼ of growth at one time.
  • remove well-formed healthy stems unless necessary.
  • prune when it is raining and when plants are wet.
  • leave stubs; cut back stems to their origin or just above a side branch or bud.
  • top trees; it deforms and kills trees!
  • ​apply pruning paint or anything else to cut stems.

Three step method to remove large limbs

To eliminate the risk of tearing the bark from a tree when removing large limbs is to use a series of cuts instead of one. You'll need a sharp pruning saw to make three cuts near the base of the branch to reduce injury and fast healing. This 3 Step Method is also called the Jump Cut. 
three step pruning,jump cut pruning,removing large branches,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Bark was stripped from this tree trunk when a branch was removed incorrectly.
three step pruning,jump cut pruning,removing large branches,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Make the first cut under the stem 6 to 12 inches from the main trunk. Only cut halfway through the branch.
three step pruning,jump cut pruning,removing large branches,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Cut on top of the branch a few inches away from the cut on the underside. Don't cut all the way through.
three step pruning,jump cut pruning,removing large branches,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
The last cut is to remove the remaining stub. Cut just above the branch ridge.
three step pruning,jump cut pruning,removing large branches,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
When sawing on the top of the branch, the branch should snap off leaving a notch, or wedge.
three step pruning,jump cut pruning,removing large branches,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
When pruned correctly, the cut should heal correctly.

Safety First

pruning safety,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Wear gloves when pruning to protect your hands and for a firm grip.
pruning tools,pruning safety,plant pruning,how to prune trees,how to prune shrubs,when to prune,pruning shrubs,pruning trees,pruning methods,suckers,watersprouts,apple pruning,the garden website.com,garden website,Amanda’s Garden Consulting,Amanda Jarrett
Select the right tool for the job.
  • Wear gloves to save your hands and to secure your grip.
  • Don't prune plants when they are wet or when its raining as wet tools are difficult to hold onto.
  • Use sharp and clean pruning tools.
  • Select the correct pruning tool appropriate for the job.
  • Place branches away from your work area to avoid tripping.
  • Place the debris on tarpaulins to drag to the next plant and for easy disposal.
  • Don’t climb trees and shrubs, tempting as it may be. Use a ladder, but have someone hold it and to help you – or hire a professional.
  • Don’t remove large limbs without using the 3 step method and don’t do it by yourself.
  • Hire a professional for big jobs, for tall trees and if you are overwhelmed. Make sure they are ISA certified and up to date on their workmen's compensation payments. Do your research and check with their previous clients for references. 

More on Pruning ......

  • Pruning Basics 101
  • Pruning Tools
  • Winter Pruning
  • Pruning Grapes
  • Pruning Clematis
  • Pruning Roses
  • Prune Your Own Garden Registration

    Pruning Comments

Submit

Love plants, love to garden. 
Amanda's Garden Consulting Company
The Garden Website 

Copyright 2017 The Garden Website.com, Amanda's Garden Consulting Company - All Rights Reserved

Home

 About, Services & Contact

Ask Amanda

Copyright © 2017
  • Home
  • About, Services, Contact
  • Ask Amanda
  • Roses
    • Types of Roses
    • Easy Roses
    • Climbing Roses
    • Portland's Rose Test Garden
    • Rose Insects & Diseases
    • Pruning Roses
    • Rose Sawfly
    • Rose Bloom Balling
  • Pruning Basics 101
    • Pruning Tools
    • Winter Pruning
    • Pruning Grapes
    • Pruning Clematis
    • Prune Your Own Garden Registration
  • Lawn Basics
    • Lawn Reno, Seed & Sod
    • Lawn Maintenance Schedule
    • Spring Lawn Care
    • Moss in Lawns
    • Lawn Alternatives
    • Lawn Grub Control
  • Mulch & Mulching
    • Living Mulches - Groundcovers
  • Propagation
    • Growing Seeds Outdoors
    • Growing Seeds Indoors
    • Taking Cuttings
    • Seed & Plant Catalogues
  • How to Garden Topics
    • Fall Garden Chores
    • Planting Know-How
    • Soil Building
    • Watering Tips & Techniques
    • Drought Gardening
    • Sheet Mulching, Lasagna Gardening
    • Cover Crops
    • Composting
    • Compost Tea
    • Houseplant Winter Care
    • Hummingbirds in Winter
    • Winterize Your Garden
    • Ponds in Winter
  • Growing Food
    • Spring Veggie Gardening
    • Crop Rotation, Succession & Companion Planting
    • Harvesting
    • Growing Potatoes
    • Winter Veggie Gardening
    • Taming Tomatoes
    • Speeding up Tomato Harvest
    • Tomato Tips
    • Saving Tomato Seeds
    • Tomato Troubles
  • Plant Pests 1
    • Plant Pests Part 2 - Controlling Insects
    • Garden Inspections
    • Helping Pollinators
    • Dogwood Anthracnose
    • Viburnum Leaf Beetle
    • Dormant Oil/Lime Sulfur
    • Japanese Beetles
    • Peony Blotch/Measles
    • Slugs & Snails
    • Horsetail, the Weed
    • June Beetle
    • Powdery Mildew
    • Soil Solarization
    • Rhododendron Leaf Spot
    • Plant Rusts
    • Black Knot
  • Container Growing
    • Choosing a Container
  • Feeding Plants 101
    • Fertilizers & Ratios
    • Nutritional Deficiencies & Toxicities
    • Organic Plant Food
  • Plant of the Month
    • Spring Flowering Bulbs
    • Colourful Fall Plants
    • Abelia
    • American Sweetgum
    • Ash (Fraxinus) Trees
    • Astilbes
    • Aubretia, Rock Cress
    • Aucuba, Japanese Spotted Laurel
    • Autumn Crocus
    • Bear's Breeches
    • Beautyberry, Callicarpa
    • Black-eyed Susans
    • Bleeding Heart, Lamprocapnos spectabilis
    • Calla Lilies
    • Dahlias
    • Daylily
    • Delphiniums
    • Devil's Walking Stick, Aralia spinosa
    • Dwarf Alberta Spruce
    • Dwarf Burning Bush
    • Fall Asters
    • Flowering Currants
    • Flowering Quince
    • Fritillaria
    • Garden Peonies
    • Garden Phlox
    • Ginkgo biloba
    • Grape-hyacinths
    • Handkerchief or Dove Tree
    • Harry Lauder's Walking Stick
    • Heathers
    • Hellebores, Lenten roses
    • Himalayan Sweet Box
    • Jack-in-the-pulpit, Cobra Lily
    • Japanese Anemones
    • Japanese Forest Grass
    • Japanese Maples
    • Japanese Skimmia
    • Japanese Spurge
    • Laurustinus viburnum
    • Lavenders
    • Lily-of-the-Valley Shrub, Pieris japonica
    • Mediterranean Spurge
    • Mexican Mock Orange
    • Montana Clematis
    • Mountain Ash
    • Oriental Poppies
    • Oriental Lilies
    • Paperbark Maple
    • Pink Dawn Bodnant Viburnum
    • Poinsettias
    • Oregon Grape Holly
    • Ornamental Kale
    • Peruvian Lily, Alstroemeria
    • Phalaenopsis, Moth Orchids
    • Persian Silk Tree
    • Portuguese Laurel
    • Rose of Sharon
    • Sneezeweed, Helenium
    • Snowberry
    • Snowdrops
    • Star Magnolia
    • Strawberry Tree, Pacific Madrone
    • Stewartia
    • Torch Lily, Kniphofia uvaria
    • Tree Peonies
    • Tuberous Begonias
    • Virginia Creeper
    • Weigela
    • Winterhazel, Corylopsis
    • Winter Camellia, C. sasanqua
    • Wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens
    • Witch Hazel
    • Wood Anemones
    • Yews
  • Garden Tour Blogs
  • Monthly Flower Arrangements
  • Website Index
  • Subscribe
  • Need Help?