Spring Pruning
by Diane Heeney

Description: When and how to prune your trees and shrubs.

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Winter and early spring is the time to prune deciduous trees and shrubs.  They are dormant at this time and have lost their leaves.  Pruning should be done for specific reasons, such as making a more attractive specimen, removing dead or diseased branches, or opening up the tree for better pollination of fruit trees for example.  You can use a tree saw or pruner.  A by-pass pruner is recommended, rather than the anvil type.  The blades slide past each other similar to a scissors.

The proper place to make your cut is flush with the branch "collar."  The collar is the swelling between the trunk and branch.  Do not cut into it or leave a stump.  This will seal out disease.  If the wound heals over in the shape of a "donut," you have done it right.  Tree paints are no longer recommended, in fact could interfere with the natural plant chemicals nature put there for healing.

Once you have pruned a few trees, it's quite easy to see which branches should be taken out.  Cull out the smallest branch, if you have double leaders.  Branches that rub each other or property, or are spaced to closely up the trunk should be removed. Pick your branches carefully, for a reason, never top a tree, and use sharp cutters.  When dealing with diseased wood, dip your cutters in bleach water. Anyone can learn to prune with confidence, even wack happy husbands.  (Just kidding).

Reprinted with permission.

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