The Basic Pruning Techniques Beginners Should Know
Pruning your plants is an essential gardening task that needs to be done regularly. However, many gardeners avoid pruning, thinking that it is a complicated task and difficult to master. Improper pruning techniques can damage your plants, put unnecessary stress on your wrists and hands, and you may even end up losing an entire season of bountiful blooms. Learning the proper techniques and using the right tools will help you maximize the growth and quality of your plants.
Let’s look at the pruning techniques you should use, depending on the type of plant you have.
The basic pruning cuts
There are three types of pruning Tree cutting services, each with its own specific purpose.
Thinning cuts are made to reduce the size of the plant by cutting a larger stem to a smaller side branch that is at least one-third to one-half the diameter of the cut stem.
Removal cuts are made to remove a branch or stem entirely, reducing the density of your plant to allow light to penetrate interior branches and stimulate desired growth. Making a removal cut is similar to thinning cuts; all you have to do is cut the side branch back to the larger main branch.
Heading cuts serve a similar purpose with reduction cuts: reducing the length of a stem but removing a branch regardless of its position or the size of the lateral branch. Head cuttings are undesirable to many because they decrease the health of the plant and can result in a dead stump.
The right angle to cut
Mastering the correct angle is important when pruning flowers, bushes, shrubs, or fruit trees. The cut should be at a 45 degree angle, just above the axis of a leaf where there is an inactive eye. Cutting at this angle will allow water to drain from the cut and prevent diseases caused by moisture that could possibly collect. On the other hand, angling the cut downward and away from the eye will prevent excess natural sap from spilling out and interfering with the developing eye. To prevent the transfer of diseases caused by sap buildup, we added a signature sap groove to our pruning shears to draw sap out of the leaves.
PRO TIP: To prevent disease transmission from one plant to another, clean your pruning shears regularly and, if possible, clean the blades before cutting a different plant. Knowing how to care for your pruning shears will not only prevent disease-causing pathogens from harming your plant, it will also keep the blades clean and sharp.
Annual pruning
Petunias and marigolds can develop long stems with few flowers if not pruned properly. When trimming annuals, remove the ones in front, cutting four to five inches above the soil line to help thicken the growing plant.
Pruning perennials
Foxgloves and other spring-blooming perennials will bloom even more when cut back after blooming because they promote new growth. On the other hand, fall-blooming perennials should be pinched back before they bloom for a fuller, more compact plant.
PRO TIP: For annuals and perennials, your garden shears should be able to produce a nice, clean cut based on the thickness of the stem. T To make this possible, our trimmer’s micro-adjustment system allows for smooth operation depending on your preferred cutting action by controlling blade tension.
Pruning shrubs
Most gardeners prune their bushes to control their size and improve their shape. After your bushes bloom, use your pruning shears to thin the outer branches just above the new growth so the inner branches get air and light. You can also trim further back to encourage growth along the limb. Dead and diseased branches can be removed at any time.
Pruning of fruit trees
When pruning apple, citrus, or any fruit tree, remove at least 1/3 of the branches each year. Using a tree trimmer, cut dead, dying, and diseased branches first, followed by branches that head inward, bunch up, cross each other, and form a sharp angle because you need to focus energy on the parts that need it most .
PRO TIP: Some fruit trees have thicker branches that your regular pruner can’t handle. Using a pruner that can cut wood up to 2 inches thick should do the trick. Our pruners have high quality carbon steel blades combined with a compound action system that multiplies the cutting force by 3 times so you don’t have to strain when pruning fruit trees that are usually too big. This is complemented by 29-inch handles for added reach and maneuverability for taller limbs.
At Tree Removal Melbourne, we are dedicated to helping you prune your annuals, perennials, shrubs, and fruit trees by equipping you with the proper pruning tools. With your needs in mind, we carefully designed Tree Removal Melbourne Titanium Bypass Pruning Shears with the most efficient features: High-quality carbon steel blades, convenient wire-cutting notch and micrometric adjustment mechanism for even more precise cuts, along with ergonomically styled handles to reduce hand fatigue, especially for arthritis sufferers.
We are confident that our pruning tools will make your pruning projects easier and more enjoyable through its smooth performance and design. Now you can prune like a pro!
