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Selective Pruning of Ornamental Trees and Shrubs |
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Heavy branch removal, which could tear bark away from the edge
of a pruning wound, should be done in three steps:
- The branch must be shortened to lighten the load at the
site of the final pruning cut. The first cut is made underneath
the large limb to be removed. Make the cut about a foot
beyond the branch collar and about one third of the way
through.
Fig. 1 - Correct method for limb removal.
- The second cut is made on top of the limb, six inches
beyond the first cut and all the way through the limb. This
removes the bulk of the weight of the branch. When removing
very heavy wood, be prepared for the limb to break off before
sawing all the way through during the second cut. Any bark
tearing will be stopped by the first cut you've made.
- The final cut should be as close to the branch collar
as possible and parallel to it.
Cutting to a Bud
The bud on the end of a branch – the terminal bud – is the fastest
growing and is dominant. Buds on the side of the branch are
called lateral buds. If you want to change the direction in
which a branch is growing, cut to a lateral bud that is outward-facing
and pointing in the desired direction. This lateral bud becomes
the branch's new dominant, terminal bud.
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Fig. 2 – Pruning cuts on small branches.
(1)Correct, (2)Too far above bud, (3)Too close to
bud, (4)Too angled. |
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Narrow buds contain leaves, while plump buds contain flowers.
To redirect growth, choose narrow buds and cut just above the
bud tip, close enough to leave the bud uninjured by the cutting
blade, and at an angle that follows the direction in which the
bud is growing. |
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Other Articles from this Issue |
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