Essentially, when you prune you want to remove dead, dying and diseased growth. Then, it’s just about pruning it into the shape you want. For advice on shaping bushier plants, read our guide to hedge trimming and topiary.

When plants are pruned in the summer after the spring growth flush has ceased they are much less likely to produce new shoots. Thus late summer pruning is the time to reduce growth without stimulating bud growth. Occasionally, late summer pruning may stimulate an additional growth flush in some species that may be susceptible to an early frost or freeze. Many secateurs are described as either bypass or anvil. Bypass secateurs are more popular. They work a bit like a pair of scissors to create a neat, precise cut. Anvil secateurs are arguably more powerful but use more of a crushing action. Once established, care of clematis vines is minimal with the exception of watering. They should be watered about an inch (2.5 cm) or so weekly, and more deeply during dry spells. Mulch should be replenished each spring. Popular Clematis Varieties In nature, meteorological conditions such as wind, ice and snow, and salinity can cause plants to self-prune. This natural shedding is called abscission. Gas powered and electrical chain saws come in a variety of sizes. They are best suited for removing trees and cutting firewood, but can also be used to prune live plant material. Only professional arborists should use power saws for pruning up in trees because of safety concerns.Thinning: A more drastic form of pruning, a thinning out cut is the removal of an entire shoot, limb, or branch at its point of origin. [6] This is usually employed to revitalize a plant by removing over-mature, weak, problematic, and excessive growths. When performed correctly, thinning encourages the formation of new growth that will more readily bear fruit and flowers. This is a common technique in pruning roses and for amplifying and "opening-up" the branching of neglected trees, or for renewing shrubs with multiple branches. Clean and oil tools regularly, including wiping an oily cloth on blades and other metal surfaces. Keep cutting edges sharp; several passes with a good oil stone will usually suffice. Paint, varnish or regularly treat wooden handles with linseed oil. Use tools properly. Don’t twist or strain pruners or loppers. Keep the branch to be cut as deeply in the jaws and near the pivot as possible. Don’t cut wires with pruning tools. Wound Dressing April to late August is suitable for pruning many conifers. Most conifers will not regrow from old, bare wood (yew is an exception), so lightly trim or remove new growth tips to control size. Before a conifer becomes too tall, prune the top off the main vertical trunk to slow further upward growth. A good gardener goes into his or her garden each day and does regular daily tasks of deadheading, weeding, supporting, feeding, and watering as necessary. A straight edge is the hallmark of a formally trimmed hedge, and in this article, John Sosnowski, horticulturist at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, explains how he achieves this look using stakes and string as a guide. He also offers a list of shrubs that are suitable candidates for formal hedges. Read more… Watch the video…

Pruning landscape and amenity trees [ edit ] Types of branch union [ edit ] Pruning at a branch collar (the swollen area where the branch joins the trunk) Pruning at a collarless union (the area where there is no swollen area where the branch joins the trunk) Pruning a co-dominant stem Regular pruning enhances the look and health of your garden. Get an overview on the benefits of maintenance pruning and a general idea of when to prune early- and late-flowering shrubs. Read more… Treat each plant as an investment of time, love, resources, and labour. Write down the care instructions, the pruning times, the garden placement. Identify your plants, get to know them well, care for them properly.

Newly planted trees and shrubs

Whatever you are pruning, the right tool makes all the difference. In this video, horticulturist Lee Reich examines an array of pruning implements. You’ll learn what the tools do, and what to consider when shopping for a new hand pruner, lopper, saw, pole pruner, or hedge shears. Watch the video… Using secateurs for a long period of time can be hard work on the hands. If you have any issues with grip, or suffer from pain in your hands, look for ratchet secateurs / pruners. These make a cut through several small squeezes rather than one big one. They may need a little practice to operate.

Many of these deciduous shrubs produce flowers in spring or early summer. Forsythia is a vivid common example. To maintain their profuse floral displays, you should cut out a proportion of the wood in late spring or early summer. If left unpruned, these plants often have lots of twiggy growth and sparse spattering of flowers. Flowers that bloom in spring grow on old wood. Blooms of this clematis developed during last year’s growing season. Plants in this clematis pruning group should be pruned before the end of July to allow blooms for next year. If your container plant is rootbound, or just growing a little too vigorously for your liking, root pruning can help. After plants have been initially pruned to include low branching, maintain by trimming the top narrower than the bottom so that sunlight can reach all of the plant leaves (Figure 11).Pruning saws come in many different styles and can be used for branches that are larger than a half-inch in diameter. The cutting edge of a saw is measured in points (teeth per inch). The most common general-purpose pruning saws have six-points and can be used for cutting small limbs. An 8-point saw, such as an apple saw, is most desirable for delicate, close work, and a 4 ½ point saw is most efficient for pruning large, heavy limbs. Some have fixed handle blades, while others fold-up for easy transport and storage. Hand saws can also have either straight or curved blades. Curved blades that cut on the pull stroke are more efficient for removing large branches, whereas straight blades are best for small, detailed cuts. Secateurs are available with one handle that rotates. Some ergonomic versions are designed to make pruning easier for those with arthritis. However, the handle and safety catch can be hard to manage if you have a weak grip. It’s best to try them first. Hybrid tea roses bloom profusely during the summer months, and special care should be given to their initial pruning. It is accepted theory that the best time to prune is during the dormant period. In most growing zones in the United States this is the period between late fall and early spring. Winter pruning stimulates growth, while summer pruning slows it down.

There are several different species of jasmine ( Jasminum). They can be climbersor shrubs, and many have fragrant flowers. Some are hardy, while others need protection from low temperatures, as they are either half-hardy or tender.

Extension

Whether it’s an ancient shrub or a vigorous young plant, all lilacs can benefit from some well-placed cuts. Read more… Sharper tools are less likely to crush the plant as they cut and take less effort to use. Clean tools lower any risk of spreading disease from one plant to another. Common jasmine ( Jasmin um officinale) and winter jasmine ( J. nudiflorum) are hardy, so established plants should be fine outside all winter. Shigo, A, 1991, Modern arboriculture, third printing, Durham, New Hampshire, USA, Shirwin Dodge Printers. Early flushes of flowers are produced on the previous year’s growth, but later flushes form on the tips of the current year’s growth