Pruning – A Critical Part of Landscape Design

A good pruning plan is a critical part of any landscape design. Properly pruned plants look better, are healthier, and are more resistant to disease and insect infestations. They are also more attractive to wildlife and provide a great deal of enjoyment to the owners. Pruning is the process of selectively removing dead, damaged, unproductive, structurally unsound, or otherwise unwanted plant material. It is also used to shape and change undesirable growth patterns. It is a very important practice that should be conducted on a regular basis throughout the growing season.

The most important reason to prune is to maintain tree and shrub health. When diseased limbs are left on trees and shrubs, they can spread the disease to other healthy limbs and even nearby plants. This can eventually kill them off. In addition, removing these limbs helps reduce the risk of injury to people and property from falling branches.

Another important reason to prune is to stimulate new plant growth. By removing old, unproductive or broken branches, you open up the canopy of a plant to more light. This allows the plant to get the energy it needs to develop healthy foliage and flower buds, and to produce more fruit.

For many flowering shrubs, the best time to prune is right after they finish blooming. This is because they generally only bloom on wood that was produced the previous year. This includes plants such as azalea, rhododendron, forsythia, magnolia, lilac, and chokeberry. It is also a good idea to prune many evergreens before they leaf out in the spring, as this allows them to use that extra energy to set new flower buds for the coming summer.

Other reasons to prune include enhancing the overall appearance of a landscape and creating specialized forms such as espaliers, topiaries and hedges. Pruning is also used to manage growth, control the size and density of a tree or shrub, and to reduce soil erosion by slowing wind velocity.

Pruning is also important for promoting biodiversity and supporting wildlife habitats. Well-pruned trees and shrubs are more appealing to birds, insects, and other wildlife, which in turn support the local ecosystem. Additionally, a regularly scheduled pruning program can help prevent wildlife from perching in and damaging utility lines like power and phone lines.

If you’ve never pruned before, it is a good idea to spend a year or two simply observing your plant – how it grows, when it blooms, etc. This will give you a good understanding of its natural growing pattern and the clues it provides to what type of pruning is needed. Steve once told me that pruning is a lot like raising children: If you don’t guide your plants in their formative years, they will grow up to be something that you didn’t intend. So take the time to prune wisely and enjoy your plants! The results will be worth it.

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