Illinois Gardener Tips
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Pruning Basics
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| Winter is a perfect time of the year to prune shade trees.You can see the overall structure of the plant during winter. Before pruning, you should know about tools, and the principles of plant growth. |
| Tools |
| There are four basic tools which can be used in pruning:
 Scissor-action hand pruner
The two blades of this hand pruner cross each other and make a clean cut on the bark and cambium layer. |
 Anvil type pruner
This pruner is not recommended because it causes too much damage to the branch. Both types of pruners mentioned above are for use on branches no larger than 1 3/4 inches in diameter.
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 Big lopper type pruner
This is used for branches that are that are 1 1/2 inches in diameter or smaller.
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 Hand
saw
The hand saw works on a pulling action. It is used for branches greater than 1 1/2 inches in diameter. If you need to use a hand saw to prune, you have probably waited too long to do the pruning. |
Tree Growth
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| Understanding the plant growth of trees is very important. Meristem growth in shade trees always forces growth up to a new meristem. It branches the next year and sets new meristems. These branch the following year, and again set new meristems. The tree growth is always up and out from the original source. The lower branches don't move. The only way to trim old growth is to actually remove the branch.
The tips of branches produce buds, which in turn create hormones that keep buds lower down on the branch from breaking or opening and forming new branches. This is called apical dominance. If you cut those buds off, you stimulate more growth lower. If you leave the outer buds, you inhibit growth down below.
The third factor is bud growth. A typical branch will have two buds on it. Depending upon which breaks will determine the direction of the new branch growth. |
Pruning
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| There are two types of pruning
cuts: a heading back
cut and a thinning
out cut. With a heading back cut, you
leave part of the branch, forcing new growth along it. A thinning out
cut removes the entire branch back to the trunk of the tree.
When starting to prune a shade tree, only take
one third of the plant off at a time. A simple reference is to take a
photo of the tree before you begin. The priorities of pruning are:
Whenever you use a thinning out cut, be sure
not to cut into the collar of the branch. This is the area where the
branch meets the tree.
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See also Hanging Baskets |
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