To have a beautiful garden it is not enough to plant different types of flowering plants and water them from time to time. In order for them to stay in optimal condition, it is important that they receive different types of care on an ongoing basis.
Although gardening work can be very arduous, since it includes preparing the land, fertilizing it, selecting the best seeds, sowing them, watering them, etc., at the same time it can become a very rewarding activity.
Whoever sows a seed can experience first-hand how it develops and grows. As time passes, he sees how his stem acquires strength and how they grow. How it begins to ripen and sprout its first flowers and how many of these become fruits that can then be taken to the table of your house.
In addition, gardening is of benefit to the physical and emotional health of those who practice it. Hence, many therapists recommend it to improve the conditions of their patients and to lead fuller and happier lives.
This practice requires time, effort and dedication, since it must also be monitored that the plants do not get out of control. For example, you have to prune the lawn, trees and shrubs with some frequency so that the garden can have an aesthetic and neat appearance. Otherwise, it will draw attention for the wrong reasons.
But what if you don’t know how to accomplish this task? How can you prune the trees and shrubs in your garden so that they continue to grow healthy and strong and look flawless?
During this article we will be sharing with you some suggestions on how to do it. Also, we will tell you what materials you need to achieve this and certain tips to get a good pruning of trees and shrubs. Let’s look at it now.
Instructions for pruning trees and shrubs
Pruning is a fundamental aspect for plants to enjoy good health, so it is not simply an aesthetic issue. Regular pruning allows trees and shrubs to sprout and bloom again and again.
By carrying it out, you contribute to eliminate those branches that are unnecessary, which cause the plant to lose its vigor so that they can grow harmoniously.
Another great advantage offered by pruning is that it allows you to define the shape that the plants will acquire from their planting until they reach adulthood. As for fruit trees, the purpose is to promote their fruiting.
However, pruning should be adapted to the type of tree you have in the garden, since there are certain species that do not tolerate it well. Therefore, in these cases, it should only be limited to balancing the tree or shrub.
To know what is the correct way to prune a tree and a shrub, you should keep in mind that there are different types of cuts:
- The reduction cut: as its name implies, it consists of the reduction of a branch by removing the portion until it reaches a lateral branch that is of greater or equal diameter. This lateral branch will now provide support and survival.
The objective of this type of cut is to improve the structure of the plant. It also seeks to correctly direct growth, remove imperfections or reduce the size of the tree.
- Removal: requires the removal of a branch completely, until reaching the trunk. Which must be of a larger diameter. If this difference does not exist, the remaining trunk will be considerably affected and will eventually weaken.
- Of desmoche: it is about cutting branches or shoots of young appearance, which are not more than one year old. With it, the stretch of a stem to the shoot or knot is reduced, without affecting the nearby lateral branches. This is a common practice after a storm, at which point the tree suffers a lot of damage.
Making a cut is usually simple when the branches are small and can be held with the help of one hand. If the branch is larger, and you cannot hold it by hand, in this case you must apply the so-called ternary method, which consists of making three cuts.
The first, called direction cutting, is carried out at the base of the branch 6 or 12 inches away. Then there is the reduction cut, which is done above the direction cut. In this way, it reduces the total weight of the branch.
Finally, the last cut is made in the bark rim of the branch and the outer portion of the neck of the branch, in the lower part of the junction. We can say that the cut has been made correctly when the edge is at the level of the bud and the yolk and its inclination is not too pronounced. But what do you need to prune your trees and shrubs?
What do you need to prune trees and shrubs?
To perform this task, it is necessary to have the right tools, as well as use personal protective equipment, among which gloves and a hat or helmet that has a visor stand out, especially if you plan to use a chainsaw.
Other necessary tools are:
- Pruning shears.
- The shear.
- Saw for wood.
- Chainsaw and
- Height or telescopic chainsaw.
On the other hand, keep in mind that, after finishing the pruning of your trees and shrubs, you will need to clean the tools so that they can continue to function properly. For example, in the case of scissors, it is common for traces of sap or resin to remain. In this case, you can use a wire brush to remove it and then clean the blades of the scissors with a little oil.
If you notice that it lacks edge, you can sharpen it with a wet whetstone. But what other recommendations should you take into account to perform pruning correctly?
Tips for pruning trees and shrubs
In view of what pruning implies for plants, it is important that you are clear about some points:
- Every cut made to a tree or shrub, whether good or bad, has the potential to change it. Which means that, if you have applied a bad technique, you can cause irreversible damage to the plant. Which shows that you should never prune if you are not clear about what you want to achieve with it.
- Trees don’t heal in the same way that humans do. When a tree is wounded, it develops a tissue over this wound and compartmentalizes it, which means that the wound remains inside the tree forever.
- There are many factors that determine the way and the ideal time to perform pruning. In other words, there are no standard rules.
- Damage from cuts should be proportional to the size of the tree or shrub. The larger the size, the greater the damage. The opposite is also true. Hence the importance of starting pruning while the tree is still young. If you wait for it to reach adulthood to start pruning, the cuts will be greater and the damage will be worse.
It is essential that you keep in mind that pruning is not simply about cutting branches left and right. Actually, there is a whole world involved in this maintenance technique. And, although the tree or shrub suffers irreversible injuries, pruning contributes to its good development.
Now that you know the basic technique on how to prune, the best thing you can do is get down to work today. Cut the branches that prevent your trees and shrubs from growing in the best way. Remember that it is not only a matter of aesthetics. Also at stake is their production capacity, the shade they provide and other factors.