| Pruning that is done by the amateur gardener is | | | | or it may be necessary to reduce by two or |
| carried out to maintain a plant that has been | | | | three shoots only the most vigorous and strongly |
| already trained in a nursery. However, many keen | | | | growing branches so as not to put too much |
| gardeners grow shrubs and even trees from | | | | stress on the plant's other stems. |
| cuttings and seed, even though it is better to | | | | Pruning is also carried out to maintain the |
| leave a large tree to the experts, because of the | | | | youngest shoots which are the most productive. |
| special equipment required and the risks involved. | | | | The last but by no means the least important aim |
| The principles that must guide the gardener when | | | | in pruning is to protect the plant's health. |
| he picks up a pair of secateurs should always be | | | | All branches that are dry, diseased, broken or |
| 'a well pruned plant is a beautiful and healthy plant' | | | | damaged in any way should be removed by |
| and 'pruning well carried out should almost be | | | | cutting into the nearest healthy wood immediately |
| undetectable'. | | | | above a well-developed shoot. Smaller branches |
| Trees do not necessarily have to be pruned. The | | | | that are too slender, too thick or that cross in the |
| reason for pruning them is to shape or keep a | | | | center of the plant or any that are badly |
| specimen that displays the finest features of a | | | | positioned should also be removed by cutting at |
| particular species. Any work carried out should be | | | | the base of the young wood but not the main |
| limited to encouraging or assisting the natural | | | | branch from which it is growing. |
| development of each plant as it grows from a | | | | These actions, which are intended to eliminate |
| young tree into a fully grown one and to avoid | | | | possible sources of disease and to maintain an |
| defects that might turn out to be harmful to the | | | | open, regular shape into which sun and air can |
| tree. | | | | penetrate freely, should be carried out annually on |
| Shrubs can be pruned to emphasize their | | | | all plants regardless of when they flower. In areas |
| ornamental features but it is important to strike a | | | | with a very hot climate this can be the end of |
| balance between encouraging the production of | | | | summer. In cold areas it is better to wait until the |
| flowers and allowing the plant to continue to grow | | | | end of winter. Where there is snow it is prudent |
| and develop. Another objective in pruning is to | | | | to anticipate possible damage and in autumn cut |
| maintain the characteristic form of each species, | | | | the longest braches back or tie them into bundles. |
| encouraging the branches and stems to develop | | | | Observation and an understanding of the ways in |
| and grow in a way that allows the plant to | | | | which a plant grows are useful when deciding if |
| achieve its natural potential. | | | | and when to prune. First it is important to check |
| Sometimes pruning is needed to encourage the | | | | whether the plant flowers on wood grown during |
| growth of a properly balanced plant. The weakest | | | | the same year as the flowering taking place or on |
| shoots may need to be cut back hard to one, | | | | wood that grew in a previous year. This |
| two or three shoots to stimulate vigorous growth | | | | knowledge will dictate the best time to prune. |