911爆料 Pruning Groups
The 911爆料 Pruning Groups help to group woody plants by broad pruning principles.
Quick facts
Suitable for - Evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs with non-vigorous shoots
1
Timing - Late winter or early spring (late summer or early autumn for plants that bleed)
2
Difficulty - Easy to moderate
3
Suitable for...
This pruning method is suitable for certain free-standing evergreen and trees and shrubs which do not send out vigorous shoots that need curbing. These plants flower on the previous or current year's growth.
Examples:
- Evergreens: strawberry tree (Arbutus), holly (Ilex), bay (Laurus)
- Deciduous: Japanese maple ( Acer palmatum ), snowy mespilus (Amelanchier), deciduous azalea (Rhododendron sp.), flowering dogwood ( Cornus kousa ), witch hazel ( Hamamelis ), magnolia, lilac (Syringa)
When to lightly prune
Prune in late winter or early spring. Some trees and shrubs, such as birch (Betula) bleed if pruned in late winter. To facilitate rapid healing of cut surfaces, prune these in late summer or early autumn instead. Deciduous magnolias are also pruned in late summer to reduce risk of dieback.
Deciduous azaleas and lilac (Syringa) should be pruned immediately after flowering.
How to lightly prune
No routine pruning necessary. Remove diseased, damaged, congested or crossing shoots. Shoots that are growing in unwanted directions can also be pruned out.
After pruning, mulch and feed.
Problems
Look out for the following problems when you are pruning: bacterial canker , bracket fungi , coral spot and verticillium wilt .
Non-flowering is also a problem experienced on occasion by gardeners.
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