Today, Chuck and I spent the day pruning trees. We are a little behind schedule this year. I try to get it done by the middle of February but the weather and our lives were not cooperative with that schedule. Last night, as I was telling someone what was on the agenda for the day, I heard once again someone tell me that they are "scared" of pruning. Basic pruning is not that hard to learn and is essential to tree health as well as good "looks". Here are some basic tips.
1) First, use good quality, sharp hand pruning sheers. Cuts need to be made at the tree collar (see illustration). Cuts should not be made randomly along a limb. Never prune more than 25% off a tree each year. Do not "top" the tree.
2) Look at the overall shape of the tree. Remove branches that do not fit in with the trees shape.
3) Next, remove any dead branches.
4) Look for branches that touch and/or cross over each other. When branches touch each other or cross each other, it sets up a perfect breeding ground for disease.
5) Cut out "suckers" including branches coming near the tree bottom near the ground and those growing straight up.
The best time for pruning is late winter before the sap starts running and leaves begin to appear. Pruning a tree from little on up, saves a lot of headaches later on.
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