{"id":381,"date":"2014-08-14T15:37:36","date_gmt":"2014-08-14T20:37:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theiowagardener.com\/wordpress\/?page_id=381"},"modified":"2025-08-04T16:23:00","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T21:23:00","slug":"how-to-prune-a-small-tree","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/theiowagardener.com\/wordpress\/how-to-prune-a-small-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Prune A Small Tree"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Pruning is really the best preventive maintenance a young plant can receive. It is critical for young trees to be trained to encourage them to develop a strong structure.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Too many young trees are pruned improperly or not pruned at all for several years. By then it may become a major operation to remove bigger branches, and trees may become deformed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At planting, remove only diseased, dead, or broken branches. Begin training a plant during the dormant season following planting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Prune to shape young trees, but don\u2019t cut back the leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Remove crossing branches and branches that grow back towards the center of the tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Remove multiple leaders on evergreens and other trees where a single leader is desirable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 As young trees grow, remove lower branches gradually to raise the crown, and remove branches that are too closely spaced on the trunk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Trim off any branch stubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Cut off any suckers at ground level or water sprouts along branches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Prune to encourage strong, even branches and crotches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might also be interested in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pruning Basics<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pruning Evergreens<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pruning Roses<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pruning Shrubs and Hedges<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: University of Minnesota Horticutural Extension<\/a><\/span>
Mike Zins and Deborah Brown, Pruning Trees and Shrubs,<\/a><\/em><\/span> Item # 00628, 1997, All rights reserved<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please do not use text, photos, or illustrations on this web site without express permission from The Iowa Gardener. Click here<\/a><\/span> to request permission.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pruning is really the best preventive maintenance a young plant can receive. It is critical for young trees to be trained to encourage them to develop a strong structure. Too many young trees are pruned improperly or not pruned at all for several years. 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