HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1976-05-05, Page 15broken in storms. Remove , a
narrow growing branch before it
gets too large..
•
Weak crotch strong crotch
(left) (right)
areful.pruning can .save trees
method of shaping applies
equally to a formally clipped
hedge as well as one which is
informal.
rything. Don't be afraid to
ne your plants; plants never
from r oper pruning.
ere are several reasons for
ning. It helps plants recover
owing transplanting by
oving part of the top of a treee
shrub to balance the roots
ich were lost during the
nsplanting. One-fourth of 'the
can be removed by pruning
ay weak, crowding branches
shortening some of the
aining branches.
n example of pruning a shade
e prior to planting is shown
e. If this pruning was done at
nursery, it is not necessary to
it again.
Pruning removes unwanted
wth. Branches which are
wding other plants or
ending over a stairway can
sily be cut out by going back
o the plant to a side branch.
ways prune to a side branch or
e bud so that a dead stub won't
left. Also, by reaching back
the plant, the cut is not so
vious as if it were at the edge of
plant.
tuning is a way of shaping a
t into a desired form -- tall,
ad, compact, open, etc. Keep
mind that plants have their
mal shape and growth habit so
't try to make a small shrub
o a narrow m ini-tree. Pruning
help to avoid narrow crotch
glen of tree limbs. Narrow
aches are weak and easily
By removing dead and weak
wood froin a plant, it is more
pleasing to view, less susceptible
to disease or insect attacks and
will grow better. Dead, wood only
takes up space. Dead branches
overhead may be dangerous.
Another important reason for
Pruning is to obtain the maximum
display of bloom and to increase
flower or fruit size without too
great a reduction in the total
quantity of flowers and fruit.
Remove 'old, thin and weak
wood.But dhn't do too severe a
pruning job all at once because
this will stimulate too much
vegetative growth which will not
' flower well.
When to prune is a common
question and, unfortunately,
there is no one answer.' A rule of
thumb is to suit the plant and the
season of the year. Early spring is
often a good time but don't cut off
all those spring flowers. Shrubs
which flower in spring develop
flower buds the previous fall, so
you should prune spring
flowering shrubs after they
bloom. You will also find it easier
to prune shrubs when, they don't
have leaves. This works well for
shrubs which flower in, mid or late
summer. Prime them in early
spring.
If flowering is not involved,
timing is not so critical. Avoid late
summer because this will often
stimulate shoots to grow which
will not be `.`hardened off" prior
to cold weather. Also, avoid
pruning soft maple, birch and
walnut in the late winter or early
spring because they "bleed" at
this time of year. Early summer
will be the best time to prune
these trees.
When pruning shrubs, don't
.give them a "haircut" . Remove
some branches — particularly old.
thick ones -- completely. This
allows space for 'new shoots and
still achieve the desired growth
reductiOn. "Rejuvenation" is a
term for completely removing lots
of the old brariches and allowing
young branches to grow from the
base.
Always prune a hedge so that
the base is wider than the top.
This will allow light to reach the
lower branches and provide a
hedge that is full to the base. This
Remember that there is no
magic to pruning. When ybu
know some of the basics you will be
a successful "pruner"
By Glen P. LIM'S •
Department of Horticultural
Science
tuning plants around your
e can be fun, and easy too. By
wing some of the basic steps
can intelligently prune nearly
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BRUSSELS :POST MAY, 60. 1976
LIMITED
Huron St., Clinton (Hwy. No. 8 Wett)
•48.2-9997