Last week, we talked about pruning tools. Let’s cut to the chase and talk about the act of pruning this week. What does it mean to prune? Why would you do it? And when should you exercise this plant removal process?
Pruning is the removal of plant parts. It can range from the simple elimination of fading flowers so the plant does not set seed and sometimes will even encourage future flowers later in the season, to one ultimate cut at the plants base near the ground often referred to as basal pruning, and for most it could be the end of that plant.
The reasons to prune vary. Here is list of why people prune:
■ Train young plants and hopefully avoid problems in the future.
■ Shape and maintain the desired look of a particular plant.
■ Rejuvenate or renew existing landscape plants — usually shrubs.
■ Remove crossing or rubbing branches.
■ Manage pest problems.
■ Remove dead or dying parts of the plant.
■ Remove flowers and/or fruit.
■ Force stems to bloom indoors in the winter or early spring for enjoyment.
■ And for intense horticulture practices like bonsai, espalier, and pollarding, pruning is a way to achieve those appearances.
While there are lots of reasons to prune, pruning to reduce the size of a plant that is constantly overgrowing the space provided is not a good reason. A better practice would be that basal cut, followed by purchasing a new plant that will behave better and thrive in the space provided.
Choose plants carefully where there are windows made for looking out, overhead wires, and that sometimes restricted space near driveways, sidewalks, decks, and property lines. A horticulture hint: Always plan for the mature size of the plant.
Pruning cuts should usually be selective and deliberate. On a branch, there are things called nodes where plants grow and leaves are present. In between the nodes is the internode. Pruning cuts should be made just above a node. Cuts made in the middle of an internode, or between buds or branches, allow stem tissue to remain where no new growth will be initiated and a place for insects to invade, fungus to make a happy home. Plus it just looks undesirable with dead tips poking out.
The best time to prune can vary with the plant being pruned. A general rule is to put the pruners away this time of the year. Plants have begun to acclimate for winter and harden-off. A result of pruning is usually the plants response to want to grow.
At this time of the year, if plants are vigorously growing they might not be ready for the winter temperatures around the corner and you could experience some die-back. It is also not recommended to ever top a tree or shrub by simply cutting everything back to the same level or height. Additionally, the general rule is to never prune an oak tree, especially those in the red oak family, during the growing season. We have an issue with a disease called oak wilt. Pruning while the insect vector, a picnic beetle, is active could lead to a deadly introduction to the infection. For additional information on oak wilt, check out this FactSheet at: ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/plpath-tree-02.
There are always caveats to these general rules and recommendations. Contact your landscape professional, garden center, or local extension office for additional information on pruning.
Amy Stone is an extension educator with the Ohio State Extension – Lucas County, Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Contact her at: stone.91@osu.edu
First Published August 15, 2018, 11:15 a.m.