Pruning conifers during the dormant season minimize sap and resin flow, but they can be pruned at any time. Tree pruning with conspicuous flowers must also be done during the dormant season to identify structure, optimize wound closure, prevent disease, and prevent excessive sap flow.
Pruning of shrubs:
Flowering shrubs also need to be pruned during the dormant season for the reasons mentioned above, but some may need to be pruned at other times. Trees and shrubs that bloom in early spring, such as dogwood and redbud, need to be pruned immediately after flowering.
Many flowering trees are susceptible to fire blight, a bacterial disease that can be spread by pruning. These trees, such as ornamental apple, pear, hawthorn varieties, mountain ash, pyracantha, and flowering quince, must be pruned during the dormant season. Those that bloom in summer or fall should also be pruned during the dormant season. Dead branches, on the other hand, can be removed at any time.
Pruning of fruit trees:
Fruit trees do not develop into the proper shape and form without pruning or education. Properly pruned and educated fruit trees produce high-quality fruit sooner and have a longer life span. The goal of pruning and education is to develop a strong tree structure capable of bearing a large crop of fruit. If fruit trees are not properly trained, the angle of the branches will be much too upright and may cause breakage during a heavy harvest. This will reduce the productivity of the tree and shorten its life. Another aspect of annual pruning and education is the removal of all diseased, broken and dead branches.
Proper tree training opens up the tree canopy and allows maximum light penetration. Most of the fruits of a deciduous tree are formed as flower buds the year before. Light penetration is essential for bud development and for optimal fruit set, flavor, and quality. Even if a mature fruit tree does well in full sun, a dense canopy prevents sufficient sunlight from reaching the interior of the tree. Opening the canopy allows adequate air movement to speed drying, minimize infection, and allow pesticide penetration. A perfectly shaped fruit tree can be a beautiful addition to a garden or landscaping.
Method of pruning trees:
In the past, pruning was always the method used to shape and structure fruit trees. Tree pruning is a desirable and effective method of improving structure and shape. Pruning simply removes parts of the tree that correct the structure; the nurturing method is a more recent application that determines the direction of growth to a desired shape and form.
Educating a fruit tree is important for its proper development. It is always better to train the direction of growth than to prune to correct it. Pruning is usually done in winter, while training and pruning are done in summer, and pruning is done during dormancy. The purpose of educating is to correct a tree's growth and minimize pruning.
Difference between summer pruning and dormant pruning:
Trees respond differently to summer pruning and dormant pruning. In the fall, the tree's energy is stored in the root and trunk system to support the upper portion. If a large portion of the tree is removed during dormancy, the tree's energy will not be altered. In the spring, the tree responds by producing many upright, vigorous shoots, called water shoots, which shade the tree and prevent it from developing well. Heavy pruning during dormancy causes the same problem.
Pruning dormant trees
Pruning dormant trees must be done late in the season to prevent winter damage. Apple and pecan trees must be pruned before peach, plum, and cherry trees. It has proven best to prune the early blooming trees last and the later blooming trees first. It is best to prune the older trees first, as the younger trees are susceptible to winter damage if pruned early.
Pruning summer trees:
Summer pruning removes a lot of energy from the tree, resulting in less growth. Pruning can begin as soon as buds begin to grow but usually begins when vegetation is several inches long. Generally, summer pruning removes only the vigorous and upright growth and only the cuts that cause thinning. Summer pruning must be completed before the end of July to avoid problems with winter damage.
Tree pruning Sydney is important to keep the trees in your yard beautiful and healthy. If you have a tree that is damaged, you should consider a tree pruning service to make sure it doesn't damage your home in a storm or high wind.
