What does pruning mean?
Pruning is the process by which we cut back or remove unwanted, dead, diseased or dying branches.
Why prune plants?
Pruning is an important process of maintaining a plants health, vigour, shape, height and structure.
When to prune shrubs and trees
- As a basic guide, winter and spring flowering shrubs such as Sarcococca, Viburnum and Ribes are pruned in late spring after flowering has finished. Summer flowering shrubs such as roses, Hydrangea and Buddleia are pruned in late winter or early spring.
- Apple and pear trees are pruned in winter
- If you need to prune stone fruit trees such as cherry and plum, this is best done in spring after flowering has finished. This reduces their chances of getting a disease called silverleaf.
Pruning tools you will need
Depending on the size of the tree or shrub you are pruning you will need:
- Secateurs
- Loppers
- Pruning shears
- Saw
- Gardening gloves
- Goggles or safety glasses
Basic pruning tips and techniques for beginners
- Always use sharp pruning tools to ensure a clean cut. Large wounds and jagged cuts that damage the bark can let disease in.
- Always cut just above a bud or a set of buds.
- If the shrub has alternate buds, such as a rose, always cut above an outward facing bud to avoid new shoots growing into the middle of the shrub causing congestion.
- If a shrub has opposite buds such as a Hydrangea, you will do a straight cut above a set of buds. If a shrub has alternate buds such as a rose, you will cut above a bud on a sloping angle away from the bud.
- When reducing the height of a shrub, stand back often to assess your work to make sure you’re creating an even shape.
- Leave at least 3 healthy buds on any branch you are cutting back
- The aim of pruning is to create an open bowl shape which lets more light and air into the plant to reduce the risk of pests and disease. It also creates a healthier stronger plant which will produce more fruit and flowers and has a more aesthetically pleasing shape and structure.
The basic process of pruning
- When starting to prune a tree or shrub you should first look for any dead, diseased or dying branches (the 3 D’s) and remove those first.
- You should then look for any crossing branches and remove the weakest ones to avoid branches rubbing together and causing a wound where disease could get in.
- Branches which are growing into the middle of the plant need to be removed to keep an open shape.
- If there is a lot of congested growth you should remove some of the older branches to open up the shrub and let more light and air in.
- The branches which are left can then be cut back to whatever height you want ensuring you cut back within the previous years growth and leave at least 3 healthy buds.
- When you’ve finished pruning, feed the tree or shrub with a general purpose granular shrub food to give the plant a boost after pruning.
The do’s and don’ts of pruning trees and shrubs
Do prune regularly to maintain shape, structure and health
Do check that you’re pruning your plant at the right time of year
Do use sharp tools when pruning
Do cut above an outward facing bud
Do leave at least 3 healthy buds on every branch you cut back
Do check for the 3 D’s first
Do remove older stems to reduce congestion
Do remove crossing stems
Do remove inward growing stems
Do create an open bowl shape
Do create an evenly shaped shrub or tree
Do stand back often to check your progress when pruning
Do feed your tree or shrub after pruning
Don’t prune when the plant is in bud or flower
Don’t prune at the wrong time of year
Don’t prune when the plants are frozen
Don’t use blunt tools
Don’t cut back a branch above an inward facing bud
Don’t cut back branches too low
Don’t remove too many branches
Don’t prune when the ground is very dry