Pruning trees, shrubs, bonsai

Sweet Bay Magnolia suckers growing from the base must be cut often

First, I will apologize for the lack of proper accompanying images. For some reason my camera just does not take certain pics well. Maybe it is the loose nut behind the viewfinder. I wanted to take a few moments to explain pruning techniques. Over the years, I have read about, observed often and watched many how-to's on pruning bonsai.

Purchase sharp, high-quality by-pass pruners. If you spend $29+ you should be okay. Better quality pruners will give you years of service, if properly maintained. Here's how:

• Make sure they are able to be taken apart for sharpening
• Don't leave them outside in the rain
• Keep them clean and oiled
• Sharpen them often

When looking at a specimen to prune, take time to look over the plant as a whole.  Is the shape doing what you want or is pleasing? Here is where you start making a mental list of branches to get rid of or cut back. Go ahead and cut out any dead wood, from large branches, to tiny twigs. Next, Look for any crossing branches. When you come across this situation, you must decide which branch is the stronger of the two. Make sure the one you are leaving behind is not causing other problems with other branches.

Water Sprouts popping up near where a branch was cut on a corkscrew willow

Are there any suckers or water sprouts? New straight branches growing from the base of the tree, root area or growing straight up through the tree from larger branches zap precious energy from the main part of the tree. Removing them will restore vigor to the growth you want to keep. Some plants have few, some, none at all while others produce dozens throughout a growing season. Barberry, Crabapple, Butterfly bushes, Crepe myrtle, plum, and cherry trees to name a few, all produce copious amounts of these each year. Only keep one or two if you need more branches from that area, otherwise cut them often. Keep the energy flowing to the main part of the tree.

Once you have some of the maintenance pruning out of the way, you can start to clean up the plant. From bushes to trees, small secondary or tertiary branches that grow down or at odd angles should be cut. This lends itself to making a sculptural feel of the plant. By making choice cuts, you also let light and air into the inner branches, which will strengthen them and reduce dieback. Also, on trees, every once in a while, you will get small branches or leaf sets popping up lower down on the trunk from the main branch level. You can keep one or two if you are trying to fill in a void, otherwise, pinch them off or cut them with your pruners. They zap energy.

Cutting off small branches that are downward growing, is a technique from Bonsai and Niwaki, the art of Japanese garden pruning. I recently transplanted a Hollywood Juniper to a large clay pot. It has been growing in the ground for 7 years or so. I have pruned it slightly over the years, and the neighbors dog had pruned the bottom with its constant peeing on it. Luckily it survived. Below are before and after pics of what I am talking about with pruning downward growing branches. It cleans up any plant.

Before

lower growth cut or pinched off

If anyone has any questions or requests, please contact me.