Pruning: Clip your way to a better plantscape.

Pruning: Clip your way to
a better plantscape.

Are you one of those people who shy away from pruning, whether it's a houseplant, a rosebush, or a tree? Think you might hurt the plant? Stop worrying.

Most plants appreciate some type of pruning now and then. They'll not only survive, but thrive as a result of it.

Pruning should be used to remove dead, insect-infested or diseased parts, and branches that cross, rub together or appear structurally weak. It can improve the overall look of a plant, allow better air circulation and light access, and restore a good balance between root and top growth (either can be pruned).

Here are a few guidelines for pruning:

1. Choose plants carefully with regard to their mature size. It's not good practice to keep a tree or shrub trimmed far under its natural size.

2. With young trees, remove limbs gradually over the course of several years as the tree grows.

3. Prune less on evergreen trees with needles, as they don't regrow as well as hardwoods.

4. Avoid pruning during periods of active growth if possible. Spring-flowering plants should be pruned immediately after flowering.

5. Use sharp tools that leave clean cuts. It's a good idea to dip them in alcohol between cuttings to reduce the risk of transferring diseases from one plant to another.

6. Cut just above a bud, on an angle, with the lower part of the cut opposite the bud, and facing the center of the tree (see illustration).

7. To allow more light to reach the foliage, you can prune some branches all the way up the main stem... especially those that angle up sharply, are damaged or cross over other branches.

8. Potbound plants will benefit from root pruning and replanting. Trim an inch (or more for large plants) off the entire surface of the rootball with a sharp knife.

9. Spring is generally the best time to prune. Check with your gardening center if you're unsure about a particular type of plant.

The pruner's toolbox:

As with most tasks, a good set of tools, kept in well-maintained and sharp condition, can really make your pruning jobs a lot easier. Here are a selection of tools to consider if you don't already have them:

Pruning shears are an essential garden tool. Resembling pliers or a pair of short, heavy duty scissors, these are ideal for cutting branches or stems up to finger-width. The curved-bypass design is probably most useful all-around.

Loppers are heavier-duty, long handled cutters that are ideal for branches from 2-4cm (3/4-11/2") thick. Look for sturdy handles that provide lots of leverage and a curved-bypass blade design.

A pruning saw is useful to have for larger branches. A folding type is fine for smaller jobs. A duplex saw, with coarse teeth on one side of the blade for heavy cutting, and fine teeth on the other side, is another option.

For taller trees, a long-reach pole saw and lopper allows cutting of overhead branches without the use of a ladder.

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