Pruning

Pruning is one of the least understood practices of garden and landscape maintenance. Before attempting to prune shrubs and trees, consider the basic principles of pruning.

Reasons for Pruning

1. To remove diseased, dead, or dying branches and stems.
2. To maintain or limit the size and shape of a plant to avoid it overpowering neighbouring plants
3. To remove undesirable growth that distracts from the balance or symmetry of the plant
4. To remove reversion foliage on variegated plants
5. To stimulate flowering and/or fruit production
6. To develop a specific plant form, such as training an espalier
7. Restorative pruning or renovation of old plants to reinvigorate

To remove plant parts that may interfere with structures or utility lines