ALWAYS prune back to or just above a growing point (branch or bud) or to the soil line. NEVER leave a stem or branch stub. NEVER top a tree to “rejuvenate” growth. Â This ruins the plant's natural shape and greatly increases its susceptibility to diseases, insect pests, and storm damage.
3) The 3 in 1-2-3 refers to 3-year-old wood that was cropped when 2 years old and sometimes 1 year old. Renew the 3-year-old wood by cutting it back hard (Figure 3). This way you will generate new laterals, and the cycle starts again (Figure 4).
ALWAYS prune back to or just above a growing point (branch or bud) or to the soil line. NEVER leave a stem or branch stub. NEVER top a tree to “rejuvenate” growth. Â This ruins the plant's natural shape and greatly increases its susceptibility to diseases, insect pests, and storm damage.
Arborists have a 1/3 rule that suggests the branch you trim back to should be at least 1/3 the diameter of the stem it is attached to.
There's a rule many professionals trim by: prune only ⅓ of the good wood. Less than that won't accomplish much, and more than that can stunt its growth or worse.
The first consideration for pruning the canopy of young trees is called the Five D's. These are branches that can and should be removed at transplanting, or at any time as the tree is maturing. The Five D's are any branches that are Dead, Dying, Damaged, Diseased and Deformed.
LaRene Bautner from Millcreek Gardens demonstrates a trimming tutorial with focus on the “3 D's for pruning” : Dead, Diseased, Damaged.
Always prune to just above a bud. This bud will then be the growing point and any material above it will die back. However do not prune so close that you risk damaging the bud. If you do damage the top bud through pruning, cut back to the next appropriate one.
The node is where leaves, buds and shoots emerge from the stem. You should always cut just above a node, as this prevents 'die back' and therefore disease. Also, by cutting above a node you can manipulate new stems, leaves or flowers to form in a desired direction, as nodes form on different sides of a stem.
Pruning lower branches from trees is not harmful and benefits the tree's overall health when done properly. However, improper pruning techniques can damage a tree and lead to decay, stress, diseases, and reduced growth. It's important to use the correct methods or hire a professional.
Improper pruning cut. A proper pruning cut minimizes the damage done to the tree and allows it to heal quickly. An improper cut like a flush cut (cutting too close to the trunk) or a stub cut (cutting too far from the trunk) can cause irreversible damage to a tree.
The closer to the tree's trunk roots are cut, the more significant and harmful the damage will be. The 25% Rule – Never cut roots beyond 25 percent of a tree's total volume. The tree may die or fall as a result of this.
The 1/3 rule involves cutting about 1/3 of wood during any pruning activity. This kind of moderate pruning is like giving your shrubs a good balance – it thins them out a bit and encourages new growth.
Make pruning cuts just outside the branch collar to avoid damaging the trunk and compromising wound responses. Improper pruning cuts may lead to permanent internal decay.
The 1/3 rule for pruning shrubs refers to the practice of cutting about 1/3 of wood or a branch. This approach is applied to fully established shrubs and small trees. This is done at this stage since the established shrubs and plants are past their transplant shock.
Make the cut about one-quarter of an inch above a bud or branch. If cutting to a bud, notice its direction. The new branch will grow in that direction. Use heading cuts sparingly.
Cut Gently at an Angle
Using your clean instrument, cut the stem at a 45-degree angle. Cutting stems at an angle creates more surface area for water absorption, so a straight cut may result in a dehydrated, withering bouquet.
When making pruning decisions, keep in mind that you can safely remove up to one-third of the plant's growth at any one time. There may be times when you prune more, such as when you are rejuvenating an overgrown shrub, but generally speaking, the “one-third rule” is the best guideline to follow.