Lawn Pruning Basics - Tips and Tricks to Help You Get Started
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Some people are afraid to prune plants in their yard for several reasons, whether it is a lack of understanding on how this is done, or they simply think of it as unnecessary. However, there are so many things to expect from pruning, mainly the improved health and appearance of your plants. It is all about knowing the perfect timing to prine and mastering this skill, so you will be more confident and get the results you want.
Know the Right Timing Before you begin snipping away branches, you need to be aware of the right time to prune. Sure, you can remove damaged, dead or weak branches any time. Yet, you should not simply prune your plants when the time is not right such as during early winter or fall season. Otherwise, you may end up eliminating the plant's flower production, as well as stunting its growth. With this in mind, it is important to understand recommended seasons for pruning trees and shrubs. You can enhance the health of your plants by adhering to this schedule, as advised by experts. During early spring or late winter, it is safe to prune plants with flowering season on summer months. As for conifers that are considered as "random-branching", it is best to prune these once you notice new growth in these plants. Some shrubs that can be pruned in the late winter or early spring include the gardenia, butterfly bush, beautyberry and nandina. As for the trees, it is safe to prune the sweet olive, cypress, juniper, true cedar, hemlock and yew. For early summer or late spring, you may prune plants that are spring-flowering once the blossoms have faded. Examples of these plants are the common lilac, azalea, mock orange, bridal wreath spiraea and the rhododendron. Guide to Pruning Trees Never prune a newly planted or young tree since you should allow it to form as many leaves as it needs to make its food and sustain the growth of its roots. With small flowering trees, you can only snip away broken, crossing or dead branches. It is also advisable not to leave stubs when you prune healthy branches or stems, as this will prevent plant diseases caused by pests. Moreover, never prune back the tree's top-most growing portion. This is responsible for maintaining the natural form of the tree. To put it simply there are only a few items that you can prune from your trees. These include branches that rub among each other, limbs that sag, suckers forming at the trunk's base or the roots, and watersprouts shooting up from the main branches. These, along with damaged or weak branches, may be cut back from a tree. Pruning Shrubs Renovation pruning is applicable to older shrubs that include unproductive stems. In the case of a shrub that has formed multiple stems from its base such as dogwood, lilac or forsythia, you can remove older stems and spare newer and flower-producing growths. With neglected shrubs, hard pruning is advisable to be done. You can prune back all stems to about one inch of the ground using a pruning saw, and this should be done during winter dormancy of the plant. Once spring comes, you will discover new shoots sprouting from the plant's base. By applying these practical tips on how to prune, you can revive the beauty and health of your plants that impact the overall appearance of your lawn. A Simple Guide on How to Deal with Common Lawn Problems |
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