How To Prune Flowering Trees

Pruning is an essential part of maintaining your trees and shrubs well. They require regular pruning to stay in shape and in some cases to trigger more flower production. Most of the trees and shrubs require annual pruning to maintain desired shape.

Why Prune?

Apart from maintaining a beautiful and artistic shape, pruning has many other benefits on trees and shrubs. It helps in keeping the trees free from dead, diseased and weak branches. Blossom removal can stimulate better flowering and fruit production in next season. It also helps in keeping the tree strong and sturdy as overgrowth can damage them. Pruning can also rejuvenate an old and weak shrub to produce more flowers and foliage.

When To Prune?

Pruning generally depends on the flowering or blooming period of plants and trees. Trees that flower in the early spring season should ideally be pruned soon after the blooming period is over. Similarly, trees that bear flowers in late spring or summer season should be pruned during fall or early winter. Most hardwood trees should be pruned in the dormant season when the tree is in dormancy. Winter pruning helps in reducing the chances of ‘bleeding’ or liquid discharge from the stems and branches. Shrubs and trees should not be pruned close to their blooming season or growth season as this can stress them.

How To Prune?

Pruning is not a very difficult task and if you do it carefully then you can accomplish it easily. Whenever you are pruning just make sure not to cut the main stem or branch as this can disrupt growth. The branches should be pruned at the base without hurting the main stem. Also, make sure not to remove the top or the central stem from the top as it can damage the entire shape and ruin the plant.

It is advisable to prune young plants regularly to maintain a natural shape. Such shrubs and trees that are maintained since the beginning generally do not need heavy pruning as they grow in desired shape. These are a few tips that can help you to prune your flowering trees and shrubs properly.