PRUNING
Pruning is the removal or trimming of a tree, vine or plant. Pruning may be
done because the branches are no longer visually pleasing, and to maintain the
health of the tree or for safety reasons.
Overall you want your landscaping to be beautiful, right? Pruning can help
you accomplish this by enhancing plant shape or form and it also stimulates
flowering potential. Thin branches are often broken or bent by wind and other natural
forces. The results are large, crude wounds that seldom heal. If these are left
uncorrected the death of a tree could occur.
Pruning should especially be carried out for safety purposes. When dead
limbs are hanging they can be potential hazards if they were to fall on someone or
something.
Pruning is extremely important for the health of your trees. Trees will
occasionally become insect infested. Pruning rids of this and encourages trees to
generate a strong structure.
ROSE PRUNING
The best time for annual pruning is in the Spring, but not all roses require
similar pruning techniques. Fall is when roses usually stop blooming and go into dormancy.
This is the time when only the tallest branches should be pruned. Prune these to about 3
feet tall.
Sharp tools should be used to prune roses. For large, dead canes, a
fine-toothed saw is best. Pruning loppers are suitable for all other pruning.
Here are some general tips to follow:
When new growth begins prune out dead canes to the base of the plant. The
base will be black, brown and dries out.
Pruning cuts should be made at a 45 to 60 degree angle. The cut should be
about 1/3 of an inch above a bud that faces away from the center of the
bush.
Frost damaged canes should be pruned out. The color is usually white or
light green through out the cane.
Remove suckers. Suckers grow from rootstock and will not produce blooms
true to the variety you have planted. You will notice these be the different
buds growing.
