Questions tagged [pruning]

Questions about how to best cut plant branches, vines or stems. For questions about root pruning please use the [root-pruning] tag.

"Pruning" is the act of cutting a plant's branch (typically of a or ), or (of a , , etc.).

Pruning is performed primarily to produce a better shaped plant, or to promote new growth of branches or .

In many cases, prunings (i.e. the discarded branches) can be used as to create new plants.

In rare situation even roots could be pruned to remove rotten parts, or to be able to remove a plant from an outgrown pot, etc. For questions like these use the tag.

582 questions
6
votes
2 answers

Can I grow an October Glory maple tree in a small area?

I planted an October Maple in an area between my house and a bungalow. It is about 4 meters (13 feet) from each of the house, bungalow and fence. I believe these trees have a radius of about 4 meters (13 feet), so possibly I made a mistake. Is there…
Simon E
  • 733
  • 4
  • 12
6
votes
0 answers

How should I lift the umbrella on a white Crepe Myrtle tree?

What is the best pruning technique to lift the umbrella on a white Crepe Myrtle tree?
6
votes
2 answers

My fuschia is dying after pruning

We have a home garden and recently fuschia was added to our collection. it was all great looking and healthy but after a few days there were no blooms and it was all leaves on the plant. I did read some articles Googling the issue, and they…
Gigili
  • 41
  • 7
6
votes
2 answers

Where should I trim to convert this ash tree in a bonsai?

Two years ago I planted a local ash tree in a pot in my balcony. It shares a fairly a pot with a maple and oak that you may see in the pictures. The ash has been the quickest to grow and at this point I would like to experiment and try to convert it…
ariera
  • 357
  • 2
  • 6
6
votes
2 answers

How can I stop removed branch stumps from spouting 'beards'?

I've a lot of substantial trees, mostly sycamores (related to maples I think, they might have a different name in the US?) I can see over the past the last owners pruned branches on the main trunk but each time, a spray of new branches has sprouted…
Mr. Boy
  • 2,427
  • 3
  • 21
  • 36
6
votes
2 answers

Correct position of Bypass Pruner/Lopper Blade

I have recently bought a bypass lopper and apparently there is a correct way to position the blade when cutting; that is, reversing the position would damage the branch. gardenmyths.com claims: fuf.net makes the same claim: Apparently, one side of…
Tahir Hassan
  • 285
  • 1
  • 2
  • 6
6
votes
1 answer

Do Orange and Lemon Trees need annual pruning?

I have a lemon and orange tree in my backyard. I have apple and pear trees as well which I prune on an annual basis. I was wondering if the lemon and orange trees need pruning as well and if so, how much should they be pruned back and any other…
JStorage
  • 7,844
  • 6
  • 32
  • 72
6
votes
2 answers

Need guidance on pruning multi-varietal apple tree

I am in zone 9b and have an apple tree (multi-varietal) that has been growing in all directions because of lack of proper pruning. I am interested in knowing when I can prune this tree in my zone and how best to prune it. As you see from the…
JStorage
  • 7,844
  • 6
  • 32
  • 72
6
votes
1 answer

Is it better to cut off drying branches sooner or later?

Is it beneficial to leave the drying branches so that the plant can salvage the good juices inside them (I'm not entirely sure that this actually happens, it just seems that's how plants work because there's sap), or should they be removed as soon…
user1306322
  • 747
  • 2
  • 5
  • 14
6
votes
1 answer

How to grow Crepe Myrtle to look like umbrella?

I had a quick question. I was going to the beach last weekend and my mother noticed some Crepe Myrtles with an interesting shape. They almost had an umbrella shape. There were the ubiquitous multiple trunks, but the tops were almost symmetrically…
Dalton
  • 5,092
  • 1
  • 21
  • 37
6
votes
1 answer

How should I treat a weigela bush with a large section of dead branches?

I have two weigela bushes which have been healthy for at least five years. (That's how long we've lived here, so I can't say their exact age.) I don't know the specific variety, but it has variegated leaves and pink flowers. I'm in Northeast…
6
votes
1 answer

Calendar to maintain fruit trees

Is there a calendar of maintenance tasks that need to be performed on fruit trees? For example, when do I prune them, when do I fertilize them, etc. If it helps, I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and am growing apples, pears, oranges, grapes,…
JStorage
  • 7,844
  • 6
  • 32
  • 72
6
votes
3 answers

What does "prune back to new wood" mean?

Re blueberries, this URL says "prune back to new wood". The meaning is not obvious to me. They don't say to remove all old wood, from the base. In fact, from the context, the rule seems meant to apply to tips/ends. But, wouldn't any such…
George
  • 233
  • 1
  • 4
6
votes
2 answers

How should I treat overgrowth on tree line?

I've tried to provide this image to help describe the issue. I have a line of evergreen trees that goes through the back of my house. I'm not an expert at landscaping (hardly even a rookie), but those looks like new trees/roots that are taking up…
Kyle B.
  • 245
  • 1
  • 2
  • 7
6
votes
1 answer

Should a Rudy Haag Burning Bush be pruned?

Should my Euonymus alatus 'Rudy Haag' (Burning Bush) be pruned in spring or not at all? This is my first spring after planting it last spring.