{"id":94,"date":"2013-11-04T14:43:45","date_gmt":"2013-11-04T20:43:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theiowagardener.com\/wordpress\/?page_id=94"},"modified":"2025-03-05T13:26:03","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T19:26:03","slug":"pruning-basics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/theiowagardener.com\/wordpress\/pruning-basics\/","title":{"rendered":"Pruning Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Pruning is a horticultural practice that alters the form and growth of a plant. Based on aesthetics and science, pruning can also be considered preventive maintenance. Many problems may be prevented by pruning correctly during formative years for a tree or shrub.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
\u00a9 Lianem\/Fotolia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Reasons for Pruning<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
1. Prune to promote plant health<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/strong> Remove dead or dying branches injured by disease, severe insect infestation, animals, storms, or other damage.
\u2022 Remove branches and branch stubs that rub together.
\u2022 Avoid “topping” trees. Removing large branches in this manner leaves stubs that can cause several health problems. It also destroys the plant\u2019s natural shape and promotes suckering and development of weak branch structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Prune to maintain plants’ intended purposes in a landscape, such as:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Encouraging flower and fruit development
\u2022 Maintaining a dense hedge
\u2022 Maintaining a desired tree form or special garden forms<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Prune to improve plant appearance<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Appearance in the landscape is essential to a plant\u2019s usefulness. For most landscapes, a plant\u2019s natural form is best. Avoid shearing shrubs into tight geometrical forms that can adversely affect flowering. Alter a plant\u2019s natural form only if it needs to be confined or trained for a specific purpose. When plants are pruned well, it is difficult to see that they have been pruned! Prune to:
\u2022 Control plant size.
\u2022 Keep evergreens well-proportioned.
\u2022 Remove unwanted branches, waterspouts, suckers, and undesirable fruiting structures that detract from plant appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Prune to protect people and property<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Remove dead branches.
\u2022 Have hazardous trees taken down.
\u2022 Prune out weak or narrow-angled tree branches that overhang homes, parking areas, and sidewalks \u2014 any place falling limbs could injure people or damage property.
\u2022 Eliminate branches that interfere with street lights, traffic signals, and overhead wires. REMEMBER, DO NOT attempt to prune near electrical and utility wires. Contact utility companies or city maintenance workers to handle it.
\u2022 Prune branches that obscure vision at intersections.
\u2022 For security purposes, prune shrubs or tree branches that obscure the entry to your home.<\/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

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

Pruning Small Trees<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

Pruning Shrubs<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/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 a horticultural practice that alters the form and growth of a plant. Based on aesthetics and science, pruning can also be considered preventive maintenance. Many problems may be prevented by pruning correctly during formative years for a tree or shrub. Reasons for Pruning 1. 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