Pruning trees & shrubs, just like the application of fertilizer and pesticide to lawns, is a routine part of the general horticultural care provided by commercial and residential horticultural care companies in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco. Here are some tips on the proper ways to prune trees & shrubs.
Tree pruning usually consists of crown thinning, crown raising or crown reduction.
Crown thinning is the selective removal of branches throughout the crown of young trees, thereby promoting better health with improved air movement and light penetration. It also improves the tree’s form. It should not be overdone on mature trees, though.
Crown raising is the removal of lower branches on either developing or mature trees. This is usually done to create more clearance for streets, sidewalks or lawns.
Crown reduction is the removal of larger branches from the top of a tree, reducing its height. It should be done differently from topping, with no stubs left. This can be achieved by removing branches immediately above lateral branches. Even then, this the least desirable way of pruning trees and should be resorted to only with absolute necessity.
Evergreens or conifers such as spruces, firs, pines, arborvitae, junipers, yews and hemlocks do not require much pruning but have specific pruning needs depending on their particular growth patterns.
Spruces, firs and Douglas-firs do not grow continuously, but growth begins in spring. Late winter pruning would be best for them, just before new growth begins. They have lateral buds that sprout when terminal buds are removed, though, so that pruning at any time is possible. Even minimal pruning at spring will not be harmful.
Pines very seldom need pruning, except when more dense growth is desired. In such cases, newly expanded candles can be pruned back by removing up to two-thirds. Do not, however, remove more than the growth of the current year. Since pine trees grow tips only in spring and then stop growing, the new candles should be pruned before they mature. Remember that pine trees do not have any lateral buds and that removing their terminal buds will eliminate new points for growth, leaving dead stubs.
Arborvitae, junipers, yews and hemlocks, on the other hand, grow continuously and can be pruned at any time until midsummer. They can withstand heavy shearing but this is rarely done since their natural forms are often more desirable. Pruning is done only if there are growth defects that need to be corrected.
Hedges should be pruned upon planting and should also be pruned often afterwards. Pruning should be done in such a way that the hedges are kept wide at the base and narrower at the top. This prevents legginess and allows all parts of the hedge to receive enough sunlight. Pruning should be done at least twice a year, preferably in spring and in the middle of summer. This will keep the hedges dense. Also prune whenever the hedge grows to six to eight inches over its desired height, cutting it back to within two inches of the previous pruning.
To renew older shrubs or overgrown shrubs, prune a third of the oldest and thickest stems down to the ground. New stems will then be encouraged to grow from the roots. Do this until there are no overgrown trunks left, but do not over-prune.
It is good to know the proper ways of pruning but in the end, it is still best to leave the pruning of trees & shrubs to horticultural experts in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco. They have the necessary professional equipment to do it and will know exactly what to do.