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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-04-16, Page 40R PAGE 14 Lawn and Garden Power Equipment *Garden Tractors *Rear Tine Roto Tillers *Rotor Tillers *Lawn Mowers SEE US for the BEST in Proper SATELLITE pruning TV SYSTEMS is good for trees H. LOBS & SONS LTD. 4824409 featuring such Top Mfg. as... *Channel Master AND *General Instruments ...plus others! ALVIN'S TV SALES & SERVICE 162 MARY STREET GODERICH 524=9099 "Give us a call... We'll give you a great reception." COOL OFF WITH A HOT IDEA, THE REMARKABLE HAT5PUMP Air conditioning that saves you money. What does central air conditioning have to do with lower heating bills? A lot... if your central air conditioner is a heat pump. That's right! A heat pump is central air conditioner and dehumidifier as well as a heating system. And not any heating system. Added to a standard - efficiency gas or oil furnace, the heat • pump's super efficiency will lower your heating bills So if you're thinking about central air this summer, why not check out central air that cuts your heating bids, too? 1OO�BONUS ' If you add a heat pump to your oil or gas furnace, you automatically qualify for $100 or more. %I mUampeopletukea nrorrin iL EnerMAt°jf; eLOAN PLANI FINANCED BY THE ROYAL BANK At interest rates below prime. WISE ENERGY CENTRE —Harold Wise Limited - 262 BAYFIELD ROAD, CLINTON 482-7062 Proper pruning can be the best thing for ing job but they tend to leave stubs so use your trees and shrubs; improper pruning these selectively. can be the worst thing for them. "The choice of tool is a matter of personal "Pruning is both an art and a science," preference, but remember to keep your says Horticulturist Ruth Friendship of the tools sharp and properly adjusted to make Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food's clean, flush cuts," she says. rural organizations and services branch. Pruning paint, which was once a common The "artist" in you will prune to retain or recommendation, has been found to be of no restore the natural form off the plant. benefit to the process of wound closure. The "scientist" in you will prune to Therefore it is not necessary to use prun- remove dead and/or diseased branches, ing paint — except for cosmetic reasons. If stimulate flower and fruit development, you do decide to paint the wound, use a thin control the plant's overall size, and to im- coat of some commercial material prepared prove the plant's structural strength, health for this purpose. and vigor. Do not use house paints. There is no ideal time to prune all plants. Apply the wound paint only to the wound; "The correct time to prune depends on the painting the bark all around the trunk can flowering season of the species, its growth kill the tree. habit and your specific reason for pruning," All pruning cuts must be made so natural she says. processes will heal the cut surfaces com- Generally, late winter or early spring is pletely and not contribute to the death of the the best time to prune deciduous trees, some bud immediately below the cut. vines, roses and certain shrubs; at these "There is a slightly -raised ridge of bark times of the year the plants have no leaves on a branch called the branch collar which and that makes it easier to decide where to is the tissue separating the branch from the prune. main stem. This can be used as your guide At these times, there is also less danger of to proper pruning," she says. damaging the bark. Place your saw or shears in front of the Fruit -bearing trees should be pruned just ridge and cut downward and slightly. after they have leafed out. outward. On the other hand, spring flowering trees This results in removal of the branch and shrubs such as forsythia should be prun- without injury to the main stem. ed after flowering. (This is because these By leaving the "collar", there is less plants produce their flower buds on the chance of infection. growth of the previous season). "Flush cuttinb" or cutting through the By pruning at this time, you won't destroy branch collar makes a larger wound than prospective blooms and it allows the plant neccessary and slows down wound closure. sufficient time and space to grow and pro- This type of cut often results when chain duce flower buds for next year. saws are used for pruning. Shrubs that flower on the current year's Prune deciduous trees to have a more or wood, such as hydrangea, should be pruned less "open" centre. before they flower. Branches that grow inwards and those Late fall to early winter is the poorest that are in contact — rubbing and wearing time to prune because the wounds may not each other — should be removed. close during the winter months. This allows the tree to grow to the outside Winter pruning is also uncomfortable for and upwards, where it will be exposed to the you — so you are less likely to take the time maximum amount of light. to prune with care. Remove watersprouts and suckers to en - Trees that "bleed" profusely such as courage the growth outward and upwards. maple, birch, walnut, and yellow -woods Always consider the manner of growth should only ,be pruned when they are in full and climatic conditions for best pruning leaf because the leaves will be using the sap results. — thereby reducing the "bleeding" and pro- Because few evergreens produce new moting rapid healing. buds on wood more than two years old, Pruning while the trees are in .leaf also prune evergreens mainly on new wood or on makes it easier to see which branches are the previous year's wood, early in the grow - dead or lacking vigor. ing season up to midsummer. But avoid pruning in late summer Allow enough time for the new growth to because this could stimulate growth which "harden off" before winter sets in. won't be able to "harden off" before the cold Spruce, pine and fir should be pruned winter temperatures strike. shortly after the new growth has begun in As with any gardening task, it is impor- the spring. And rests ict your pruning to the tant to use suitable tools and equipment. new growth only. Special equipment and expertise are Prune junipers by cutting back the branch needed to prune large trees so you might be to a healthy lateral branch. wise to hire a professional for these large, Ptrees shouldlor central trunk be pruned only to remove reen jobs. dead But small trees can easily be pruned. or overlapping branches. A sharp, properly set saw is required for Trees with double leader branches should the larger cuts and will do a better job for be pruned to one terminal leader, while the any size of cut than even the best pruning tree is young. shears. Do not prune the terminal leader of an A pruning saw should be used wherever evergreen tree unless the leader has been possible. damaged. Hand pruners should be light, sharp, pro- (If it must be removed, it should be perly set and of good quality. replaced by a lateral trained to grow - Long -handled pruners can speed a prun- upwards).