Last chance to get pruning

Check that tree ties are secure

Step by step

Pruning made easy

The four key tips to remember

I’m pruning a ‘Conference’ pear to keep it in shape and encourage better fruiting this summer

It’s easy to get carried away when pruning, so remember the old saying ‘look twice and cut once’ so you don’t ruin your tree with overpruning.

Last chance to get pruning

Ruth recommends you get it done before the sap rises

THERE are two main reasons why we prune trees and shrubs; to keep them healthy and in good shape; and, in the case of varieties that produce fruits, to keep them cropping well. The dormant weeks of winter are the main pruning times (see page 5 for exceptions) and as spring is hopefully advancing towards us wi welcome haste, time is running out to get any necessary cutting back done and dusted. If cutting back is left until buds start to swell and leaves unfurl, the pruning wounds will bleed more sap, which can weaken the tree and present entry points for pests and diseases. The thought of pruning can be daunting, but it needn’t be as the ‘rules’ are pretty straightforward and the results can be spectacular. My one caveat is that if you have a very large tree that needs substantial pruning through neglect or damage, it is worth calling a professional tree surgeon to do the job properly and safely. If it is a job you think you can tackle on your own, but with the use of ladders or a platform, make sure you have someone at hand to hold the steps steady and help out where necessary. The key requirements for successful pruning are sharp, clean tools –secateurs, loppers and a saw –a granular feed and well-rotted compost or manure for afterwards and a compost heap or garden-waste bin for prunings. eal healthy shape for and shrubs is an open blet’ that allows good flow through the ranches and gives lenty of space for ew growth. There hould be a balance f old and new stems rne on a strong and lthy framework. wly planted trees and ill only need a light trim to keep them in shape and growing as you want for the first few years. As a general rule of thumb, cut back healthy growth to a healthy bud that is growing outwards or in the direction you would like new growth to go. Make the pruning cuts at an angle so that water runs off instead of collecting and softening the wood, which may start to rot. There is no need to use wound paint as healthy wood heals itself. Angled cuts will repel rain

1Cut away dead and diseased wood to healthy growth and remember to sterilise your blades afterwards.

2Remove spindly shoots and any that are growing inwards, cluttering up the centre of the tree or shrub.

3Prune out extra shoots growing from the base of the trunk so they don’t crowd the main growth, and steal water and nutrients.