| Pruning that is done by the amateur gardener is | | | | three shoots only the most vigorous and strongly |
| carried out to maintain a plant that has been already | | | | growing branches so as not to put too much stress |
| trained in a nursery. However, many keen gardeners | | | | on the plant's other stems.Pruning is also carried out |
| grow shrubs and even trees from cuttings and seed, | | | | to maintain the youngest shoots which are the most |
| even though it is better to leave a large tree to the | | | | productive. The last but by no means the least |
| experts, because of the special equipment required | | | | important aim in pruning is to protect the plant's |
| and the risks involved. The principles that must guide | | | | health.All branches that are dry, diseased, broken or |
| the gardener when he picks up a pair of secateurs | | | | damaged in any way should be removed by cutting |
| should always be 'a well pruned plant is a beautiful | | | | into the nearest healthy wood immediately above a |
| and healthy plant' and 'pruning well carried out should | | | | well-developed shoot. Smaller branches that are too |
| almost be undetectable'.Trees do not necessarily | | | | slender, too thick or that cross in the center of the |
| have to be pruned. The reason for pruning them is to | | | | plant or any that are badly positioned should also be |
| shape or keep a specimen that displays the finest | | | | removed by cutting at the base of the young wood |
| features of a particular species. Any work carried out | | | | but not the main branch from which it is |
| should be limited to encouraging or assisting the | | | | growing.These actions, which are intended to |
| natural development of each plant as it grows from a | | | | eliminate possible sources of disease and to maintain |
| young tree into a fully grown one and to avoid | | | | an open, regular shape into which sun and air can |
| defects that might turn out to be harmful to the | | | | penetrate freely, should be carried out annually on all |
| tree.Shrubs can be pruned to emphasize their | | | | plants regardless of when they flower. In areas with |
| ornamental features but it is important to strike a | | | | a very hot climate this can be the end of summer. In |
| balance between encouraging the production of | | | | cold areas it is better to wait until the end of winter. |
| flowers and allowing the plant to continue to grow | | | | Where there is snow it is prudent to anticipate |
| and develop. Another objective in pruning is to | | | | possible damage and in autumn cut the longest |
| maintain the characteristic form of each species, | | | | braches back or tie them into bundles.Observation |
| encouraging the branches and stems to develop and | | | | and an understanding of the ways in which a plant |
| grow in a way that allows the plant to achieve its | | | | grows are useful when deciding if and when to prune. |
| natural potential.Sometimes pruning is needed to | | | | First it is important to check whether the plant |
| encourage the growth of a properly balanced plant. | | | | flowers on wood grown during the same year as the |
| The weakest shoots may need to be cut back hard | | | | flowering taking place or on wood that grew in a |
| to one, two or three shoots to stimulate vigorous | | | | previous year. This knowledge will dictate the best |
| growth or it may be necessary to reduce by two or | | | | time to prune. |