Pruning Ornamental Plants

Principles of Pruning

• Shrubs that produce flowers on wood grown the previous season should be pruned immediately after flowers fall off.

• Examples include early spring flowers like….• Forsythia• Azaleas• Spirea

Early Spring Flowers

FORSYTHIA

SPIREA

AZALEAS

Principles of Pruning

• Shrubs that bloom on current year’s growth should be pruned in the fall or early spring.

• Example:• Roses

ROSES

Principles of Pruning

• Some shrubs require annual pruning to thin out old, dead wood like….• Hydrangea• Spirea

HYDRANGEA

SPIREA

Principles of Pruning

• Some suckers or shoots from plant roots should be removed to keep plant from becoming too thick.

Methods of Pruning

• Thinning• Removal of certain branches to open up the

plant and keep the natural shape.

Methods of Pruning

• Heading Back• Removes the end section of branches at the

same height so that new shoots make the plant thicker.

Methods of Pruning

• Renewal Pruning• Removes old branches that are large and

unproductive by cutting them back to ground level.

• Usually effective on flowering shrubs.

Methods of Pruning

• Root Pruning• Usually done one

growing season prior to transplanting.

• General Rule is….• One inch of stem

diameter equals 10” of circle diameter for pruning roots around plant.

Pruning Tools & Supplies

Tool Care

• Keep sharp & clean.• Keep handles and bolt nuts secure &

tight.• These practices will increase safety.

Pruning Saw

• Has a blade with coarse teeth.• Blade may or may not fold into the

handle for safety & storage.• Cuts live & dead limbs.

Pole Pruner

• Has a saw & pruning tool on a pole to remove branches that are up to 12 feet overhead.

Grass Shears

• Have two blades designed to cut grass around edges of walks or flower beds.

Lopping Shears

• Have long handles and will cut limbs from 1 to 1½” in diameter.

Hand or Pruning Shears

• Have a single blade that cuts against another piece of metal or two blades that work like scissor to cut limbs up to ½” in diameter.

Hedge Shears

• Have longer blades that cut young tender growth.

Chain Saw

• Has a gasoline, battery, or electrical powered chain that cuts large limbs from 3” up to the blade length.

Power Pole Pruner

• Has a power saw on the end of an extended handle.

Safety Tip

• Use caution with cutting tools.

“If they will cut plants, they can cut

you”

Designed By:

• Johnny M. Jessup; FFA Advisor• Hobbton High School