Basic Pruning Tips

The best time to prune varies with each plant species. Plants that flower during the spring normally are pruned after they bloom. If you were to prune before bloom you would remove the flower buds. Summer blooming plants generally are pruned during the winter when they are dormant. Pruning should not be done in the late summer or fall because the re-growth makes them more susceptible to damage from the cold.

If the plants are not being grown for their flowers, the best time to prune may be in the winter dormant period. Removal of dead, diseased or damaged branches should be done as soon as possible, no matter what time of year. Pruning should be done year-round as needed.

Picking the right tool for the job will mean less work for you and ensures that the plant will heal more quickly. The following is a list of different types of tools and their uses:

Hand Pruners Used for smaller jobs. Pruners are available with either bypass or anvil blades.	Loppers Longer handles, increasing your reach and leverage for those hard to cut branches. Loppers are for larger jobs.
Hedge Shears Ideal for nearly all hedges and shrubs, except for larger woody branches	Pruning Saws Helps remove stems you cannot cut with hand pruners or lopping shears
Pole Saws A cross between pole pruners and pruning saws. They help to get at out-of-reach branches.	Pole Pruners Helps get at high out-of-reach branches. They are ideal where ladders would be inconvenient or would damage the tree.

	Hand pruners and loppers are available with either bypass or anvil blades. Bypass blades are sharpened, curved, and overlap, similar to scissor blades. Bypass blades are ideally used for new green growth. Anvil blades have a straight upper blade that cuts against a broad, flat blade. Anvil blades are most efficient for dry, hard and old growth.

Proper cuts require good, sharp pruning equipment. Make all cuts clean and smooth and do not leave stubs or remove bark. In most cases, you should cut back each stem to a bud or branch. Do not make the cut too close or too far away because most new growth will come from this area. Select the branch to be pruned and cut it back to ½" above an outer bud or to the collar area of a branch about half the size of the main branch that connects a 45° angle. Your cuts should be slanted upward at about 45° to prevent water from collecting in the cut.



When cutting branches more than 1 ½" in diameter, use a three-part cut. Make the first cut from below about 6-12 inches out of the trunk. Make the second cut from above, about 3-9 inches down the branch, until the branch falls away. Then cut the remaining limb at a 45° angle so the bark collar remains intact.

Do's	Don'ts
Select the proper tool for each job.	Make one cut to remove large limbs.
Know the proper time to prune your plants.	Underestimate the importance of pruning for your plants' health and appearance.
Make your cuts at an angle to prevent water buildup.	Forget the proper place and angle to make your cuts when you prune.