Naturally Natives Last Chance for Winter pruning Text and Photos by Scott Woodbury
M
y favorite winter activity, besides going for long walks through the woods, is pruning trees and shrubs. March is the last month to do it before they leaf out in April. Why prune before leafout? It’s easy to see the branching structure, and safer in terms of disease spread. Oaks, for instance, must be pruned either when dormant in winter or after the seasonal growth spurt is complete (usually after July 1). Pruning oaks during the early growing season creates seeping wounds that may invite deadly pathogens into the tree. There are many branch issues to look for and resolve (also called corrective pruning). First is crossing or rubbing branches.
These are branches that cross each other close enough to rub off the outer bark layer. You can tell where rubbing occurs because it looks like a worn-out leather shoe—shiny and the worse for wear. One of the branches needs to go, so prune out the one that does not fill the space properly. This can be an easy decision when one branch points toward the house or back into the center of the plant. Take that one. But what if they both point outward and it’s not so obvious? In this case, save the branch that fills the space better. Huh? This is what I like so much about pruning. You have to visualize what the branch structure will look like without one or the other crossed branch. Which looks better in your head? At this point, An example of a well-pruned redbud tree, with properly spaced remind yourself that you can’t put limbs and esthetically pleasing structure. the branch back on the plant after it is cut. So think carefully, take your time (leave it for another day) and make the right decision. When it’s a toss-up, you can’t go wrong either way.
Missouri Wildflowers Nursery
Meet us at one of these locations in the St. Louis area. Give us your order by Tuesday before a sale, and we will bring it to the location.
Next is multiple leaders on a tree. A leader is the singular, and usually central, branch that grows faster and taller than all the rest. It is what forms the often massive trunk on old trees. At times there are two or three branches competing for the same place at the top. This is not good, because they usually grow to have narrow and weak branch angles. ‘Bradford’ pears are notorious for this. They grow for ten or fifteen years, produce multiple leaders, and then one suddenly breaks off in strong wind. One landed on my car years ago! Pruning trees with multiple leaders is usually easy when they are young. Save the leader that looks the most robust or is pointing in the direction of the area you want to fill. If one side is pointing toward the house, prune the leader on that side off.
Kirkwood Farmer’s Market, 150 East Argonne Dr. Kirkwood MO 63122. Give us your order in advance, or pick from the selection at the market. April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; May 21, 28; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ideally, you want to prune when trees are young—2-5 years old is ideal. Do not prune newly planted trees for a year or two. Let them get established, even if you want to shape them right away. Don’t be tempted,
9814 Pleasant Hill Rd Jefferson City MO 65109 www.mowildflowers.net mowldflrs@socket.net 573-496-3492
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, 11715 Craigwold Rd. Kirkwood MO 63122. Event: “Native Plant Workshop and Sale” https:// mdc.mo.gov/events April 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. St. Louis, Location to be announced, Check website for updates. Event: “Native Plant Fair/Sale - Partners for Native Landscaping” partnersfornativelandscaping.org, or www.mowildflowers.net April 10, check website for time. Shaw Nature Reserve, 307 Pinetum Loop Rd Gray Summit, MO 63039. Event: “Spring Wildflower Market;” General Public: Free admission. May 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Members preview sale: Friday, May 6, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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Horticulturist Scott Woodbury is the Curator of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO, where he has worked with native plant propagation, design, and education for 30 years. He also is an advisor to the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Grow Native! program.
The Gateway Gardener™ MARCH 2022
