Adapted from Teri Hamlin Pruning The appearance of a properly pruned plant is like a good hair cut: hardly noticeable at first glance. Adapted from Teri Hamlin

Pruning Pruning at Planting: Do not prune to compensate for root loss If quality plant stock, pruning is not necessary Do not prune to compensate for root loss latest research shows pruning does not help overcome transplant shock

Why Prune Removal of dead, broken, diseased, or insect-infested branches Maintain desired shape & size Promote healthy vigorous growth Promote flowering & fruiting

Pruning Tools Sharp & Sterile

Making the Cut Directional Pruning

Making the Cut

Pruning Technique Heading Thinning Removes the entire shoot or limb Removes a part of a shoot Thinning Removes the entire shoot or limb

cutting oldest branches to ground opens center and promotes new growth Pruning Technique Thinning Selectively cutting oldest branches to ground opens center and promotes new growth

Pruning Time General Rule Trees that flower before May Prune after bloom Dogwood, Redbud, Saucer Magnolia, Flowering Cherry Trees that flower after May Prune prior to spring growth Crape Myrtle

Thinning and Heading Back Pruning

North Carolina Pruning Time January - March Broadleaf evergreen Needleaf evergreen Renewal Pruning Large Tree Limbs

Pruning Young Tree A. Remove suckers B. Low Growing Branches interfer w/maintenance practices C. Upright growing shoots or waterspouts D. Inward growing branches E. Branches that compete with a central leader Pruning Young Tree

Crown Thinning No more than one-fourth of the living branches should be removed at one time

Remove branch from bottom to provide clearance Crown Raising Remove branch from bottom to provide clearance After pruning the ratio of living crown to total tree height should be at least two-thirds

Crown Reduction Ratio of live crown to total tree height should be at least two-thirds Never cut main branches of tree back to stubs (Topping Trees)

Large Limbs A. Make partial cut from underneath B. Make a second cut from above several inches out allows the limb to fall C. Complete job with final cut just outside the branch collar

made through the branch collar will take 3x longer to heal Pruning Limbs An Improper Cut made through the branch collar will take 3x longer to heal

Rejuvenating Restore overgrown shrubs Cut all branches 4-8” above ground

“Placebo” - making the user feel good Pruning Paint “Placebo” - making the user feel good Research shows that paint or wound dressings do not stop decay nor cause the wound to close faster Successful Pruning Correct Tools Correct Time Correct Technique

Let’s try some virtual pruning…