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Ever take a Sunday drive by beautifully manicured properties …and wonder how the landscape plants become so perfectly sized and shaped? Then you return home to the overgrown jungle that greets you pulling into your driveway. It is then you promise yourself, next sunny warm weekend…I am powering up those tools and “gettin it done” in my yard. For the weekend warrior homeowner who loves the feel of that vibrating power tool in their hands and the smell of 2 cycle exhaust… here are a few basic tips to keep your plants healthy and avoid some common mistakes.
First, we need to understand what pruning is. Most think of it as Pat Morita in the Karate Kid delicately snipping little table top plants, or the large armed guy running that motorized hedge clipper along those overgrown hedges. Pruning is the selective “removal” of plant material. Pruning maintains plant health and safety around our home. This entails removing weak/dead branches, rubbing branches that cause bark damage/disease, and that spindly stuff to give more vigor to the remaining branches. Plain common sense tells us to remove branches overhanging walkways, our home/outdoor structures and around overhead wires for safety. Pruning strengthens and maintains the plant structure by removing select branches to balance the shape or cut spent flowers to increase flowering potential. Pruning keeps the size of a plant in check and brings an overgrown plant back in balance with the environment. But keep in mind “right plant for right space” rules as this will reduce the need for excessive pruning.
Timing is everything when it comes to pruning. Forget that warm summer afternoon when everything is in full bloom and fully leafed. NOW is the perfect time to get that pruning chore done. Optimum time in our growing area is March…but our late winter snow limited access and full examination of our plants. So these next few weeks are the kindest to our plants’ growing cycle, just before the buds begin to swell. Plants are still dormant with their nutrients stored closer to the central trunk. The added bonus of no leaves allows us a non-obstructed view of plant size and structure. This is a terrific time to thin out those overgrown shrubs. However, exceptions do exist. Spring flowering trees and shrubs should not be touched until after flower, e.g. rhododendrons, azaleas, flowering fruits, magnolias. If you are just removing dead or diseased branches…this can and should be done anytime of the year!
Now comes the critical part…how do I cut? It is important to invest in quality tools. You will regret buying from the dollar store! Head back to the gardening tool wall at Allerdice and ask for their assistance in selecting tools that will perform and last. For the homeowner, I recommend 4 basic tools, AND SORRY GUYS, NOT ONE IS POWERED! First you need a sturdy hand bypass (scissor-like) pruner. Don’t buy the “anvil” styles that crush the branch or stem. This compromises the plant’s health. In addition to the hand pruner, invest in the longer blade manual shears (they look like long handled scissors). You can use both of these for perimeter shaping of branches ½-3/4 inches in diameter. Your third tool is a long handler lopper. The cutting blade on this looks similar to your little hand pruner, but larger and able to cut branches and stems up to 1 ½ inches diameter. They have long handles that give you great leverage to cut. I love the new adjustable handles that allow greater reach. The pole handled loppers help you reach higher in the trees. Lastly look for a sturdy curved blade hand saw. This multi- toothed blade cuts as you pull across the branch, used for branches 1 ½ to 2 ½ inches diameter. These are terrific for reaching the base of the plant and getting close to the trunk. You need to keep these tools clean. I use 70-99% rubbing alcohol solution. Keep them sharp and rub a little 3 in1 oil on the blade before you store. If you require more than these basic homeowner tools for your job, consult with an experienced landscaper or arborist.
Once you have the right tools…the cut is critical. Always cut the branch just outside the branch collar (the swollen area where the branch joins the trunk). Never cut flush to the trunk or leave stems of the branch as this increases potential for bark damage and disease. Make the cut at a 45-60 degree angle from the collar. Resist the temptation to start pruning in the front of a shrub at eye level. Go to the back and start from the base out. You actually open up the plant from the inside out, allowing air and sun to penetrate the interior. How much pruning is too much? Always keep in mind the 1/3 rule…taking no more than that in one growing season. Removing more will stress and harm a plant.
Proper time, tools, touch, along with patience and care rules for home pruning!
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