Fundamentals of pruning explained

Pruning is essential for the strength of ornamental plants and fruit trees in your garden and tree service companies.  It helps in natural regeneration of the tissues of the plant. It has been found that tree pruning is very helpful in preserving the foliage and truck of the tree from diseases and potential parasite attacks.

When to prune trees?

There is no specific period that is more suitable for pruning of plants. The best time for pruning depends upon the type of the tree and the result you want to achieve. The same tree may require several pruning during an year depending upon the time of the year and for different reasons. Pruning is commonly carried out between autumn and spring.  It is also done during the vegetation period of a plant.

Moon often plays an important role in the growth of the plants.  Similarly, it has important roles in grafting sowing and pruning of plants also. It has been found that trees pruned on the waning days of moon produce increased number of fruits. So, it is necessary to check the lunar calendar of agriculture and ascertain that  the date you chose for pruning falls within the allowable time.

Tools used for tree pruning

Tree pruning in your garden can be done using manual tools or tools that are electrically powered or powered by petrol engines. For small trees and for small areas manual tools will be enough. But for larger areas, tools powered by electricity or petrol engine are needed. For cutting small hedges or braches, small/ medium diameter pruning shears will be enough.  Finishing of such pruning can be completed with the help of secateurs. For large garden hedges or for large number of fruit trees hedgetrimmer or telescopic pruners with which can reach higher heights without the need of any steps or platforms are needed

Chainsaws used for pruning

Pruning chain saws are available with different guide bar lengths and displacements. They are most versatile and useful machines as they can be moved around easily while working on small/medium sized branches. This makes it easy manoeuvring with increased efficiency and speed.

Do not forget to make sure that sufficient safety and protective equipments are available before starting the pruning activity. Anti protection jackets, trousers, protective helmets, hearing defenders, protective eyewear, boots etc are the most commonly used protective equipment while carrying out pruning work. A safety harness is to be used if one is using either a hedgetrimmer or a telescopic rod or a chainsaw. Keep a blower and a rake with you if you are using a chainsaw. It will be useful in collecting and disposing the waste produced.

How to prune?

The fundamental rule of thumb regarding tree pruning is that a vigorously growing plant requires less pruning. This is the reason why old trees require intense pruning. For the same reason a young tree or a fully fruiting tree requires only little pruning

Vigorous and week branches

As there is much difference among the trees, there are differences among the size and nature of the branches of the trees also. Fruit trees are often found to have rigorous branches as well as week branches.    Each of these types of branches requires different intensity of pruning.   Vigorous trees branch vertically and sap flowers faster inside them. Weaker branches are curved and horizontal. Vigorous branches are good for firewood. They do not bear any fruits. On the other hand weaker branches do not produce large number of fruits and they are not suitable for firewood as they are thinner.

So, to keep balance between the growth of the tree  and the load due to fruits present on them, one need to shorten the rigorous branches more than weak branches.  While doing so try to see that the proportion of the plant remains unchanged and load bearing branches should be diminishing towards the top.   This can be achieved by cutting the basal branches lesser and top branches greater.

Pruning of buds also has to be carried out in a particular manner as explained below.

Apical buds grow at the top in most vigorous manner ensuring continuity in growth of the branches or limbs. Lateral buds on the other hand, form the axils of the leaves. Underlying branches sprout only when the apical buds are cut. Regardless of the position where they grow all buds are capable of generating branches, leaves, flowers and fruits. So pruning has to be done by tree removal services md keeping in mind the result one needs to achieve. If you cut short a branch and leave some buds, the branches will grow vigorously and bear fruits.  On the other hand if you leave more buds, you will be left with plenty of fruits with weak branches.

Recommended For You

About the Author: EthicsPledge

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *