🌳 Pruning Guide – English Version

1) Why prune at all?

Pruning isn’t punishment for a plant—it’s care. Done right, pruning keeps trees and shrubs healthy, safe, beautiful, and productive. It removes what a plant no longer needs (dead, diseased, or damaged wood), keeps branches from rubbing and breaking, opens the canopy so sunlight and airflow can reach inner growth, and directs energy into strong structure, flowers, and fruit.

2) The clearest signs it’s time to prune

• The 3 D’s: Dead, Diseased, Damaged wood.

• Crossing or rubbing branches.

• Water sprouts and suckers.

• Too-dense canopy, poor structure, or safety issues.

• After storms: cracked or hanging limbs.

3) Best timing by season

• Late winter/early spring: deciduous trees.

• Spring-flowering shrubs: prune right after bloom.

• Summer-flowering shrubs: prune late winter/early spring.

• Evergreens: light shaping late spring.

• Citrus, avocado: light pruning late winter/early spring.

• Grapes, blueberries, roses: late winter.

• Hydrangeas: after bloom (old wood) or late winter (new wood).

• Oaks: avoid spring/early summer; seal cuts if needed.

4) How much is too much?

• Don’t remove more than 25–30% of live canopy in one season.

• Focus on structure in young trees.

• Never “top” a tree.

5) Cuts that heal

• Heading cuts: above outward-facing buds.

• Thinning cuts: remove whole branch back to parent.

• Cut just outside the branch collar.

• Large limbs: use the 3-cut method.

• No wound paint except special disease cases.

6) Step-by-step flow

1. Observe the tree.

2. Sanitize tools.

3. Remove 3 D’s.

4. Remove suckers & water sprouts.

5. Correct structure.

6. Thin canopy.

7. Shape lightly.

8. Step back and check again.

7) Tools & safety

• Tools: pruners, loppers, saws, pole saws.

• Safety: gloves, eye protection, ladders, avoid power lines.

• Wildlife: check for nests.

• Hire pros for dangerous jobs.

8) Fruit tree notes

• Apples/pears: prune late winter, watch for fire blight.

• Peach/nectarine: prune late winter to renew young shoots.

• Cherry/plum: light pruning late winter or post-harvest.

• Citrus: light, regular thinning.

• Fig/pomegranate: late winter shaping.

• Grapes: prune during dormancy.

9) Aftercare

• Mulch around roots.

• Water deeply after pruning.

• Don’t over-fertilize immediately.

• Observe new growth.

10) Quick checklist

• Dead/diseased/damaged? Remove now.

• Right season? If not, wait.

• Plant stressed? Go light.

• Safety hazard? Prioritize or call pro.

• Can you see through canopy in a few places? If not, thin lightly.

Final Thought: Pruning is learning your plant’s language—light, space, timing, and restraint. Done well, your trees reward you with health, shape, blossoms, and fruit.

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