Pruning: the timing, benefits and methods

Pruning is the basic practice of maintaining the overall health and vitality of your plants. Not only does it enhance the aesthetic appeal of trees and shrubs by shaping and tidying their structure, but it also plays a crucial role in keeping them free from pests and diseases. Regular pruning promotes growth, leading to lush, healthy foliage, while also stimulating flowering and fruiting, particularly in orchards and ornamental gardens. By removing dead, damaged, or overcrowded branches, you create space for new growth and better air circulation, which further reduces the risk of disease.

Pruning is essential for guiding plants into the desired shape, whether for ornamental purposes or to encourage the natural form of the plant. Whether your goal is to boost productivity in fruit-bearing plants or maintain a well-manicured garden, pruning remains a key technique that every gardener should master.

The Timing: When to Prune for Best Results

Pruning can generally be carried out at any time, depending on the specific goal you have in mind. For the most noticeable and beneficial results, it’s often best to prune when the plant is actively growing or just before its growth phase begins, after the chilly frosty season. This timing allows the plant to quickly respond by producing fresh shoots and promoting vigorous growth. Pruning during active growth periods ensures that cuts heal faster, and the plant can focus its energy on regeneration, making the process more effective and beneficial for the overall health of the plant.

In Gauteng, a region with its own unique climate, the ideal time for most pruning activities is in August, just before the onset of spring. This timing aligns with the plant’s natural growth cycle, allowing you to prune before the plant enters its most vigorous period of growth. By pruning in late winter, you give the plant time to heal and prepare for the rapid development that occurs in spring. This is particularly beneficial for flowering plants and fruit trees, as it encourages a burst of healthy growth, leading to more abundant blooms and fruit production in the warmer months ahead.

When it comes to removing dead wood, diseased, or damaged plant material, there’s no need to wait for a particular season. This type of pruning can, and should, be done whenever the issue is spotted, regardless of the time of year. Addressing these issues promptly prevents the spread of disease and keeps pests at bay, which can otherwise compromise the plant’s health.

The Benefits: Pruning for Healthier Plants

Pruning is an essential practice that brings a wide range of benefits to plants, contributing to their overall health, appearance, and productivity. Here’s a more detailed look at its advantages:

Promotes vigorous new growth:

Pruning stimulates the development of stronger, more robust branches and stems. When a plant is pruned, growth hormones that were previously focused on the apex (or top) of the plant are redirected to the growth nodes below the cut. This results in the sprouting of new branches and leaves, giving the plant a fuller, healthier appearance.

Encourages bushier growth:

For ‘leggy’ plants—those with long, sparse stems—fruit trees, and shrubs, pruning encourages the plant to develop a denser, bushier form. By removing excess height or length, the plant can focus its energy on lateral growth, filling out in a more balanced and visually appealing way.

Strengthens trees and shrubs:

Regular pruning strengthens trees and shrubs by promoting the development of a sturdier structure. Removing weak or overgrown branches not only stimulates healthy new growth but also makes the plant more resilient against wind damage, pests, and environmental stress. Stronger branches help the plant better withstand external pressures while maintaining a healthy form.

Enhances the plant’s shape and appearance:

Pruning is an effective way to improve the overall shape and aesthetic of trees and shrubs. By carefully selecting where to cut, you can guide the plant’s growth to achieve a well-balanced, pleasing structure. This not only makes the plant more attractive but also allows it to grow in a way that is conducive to its natural form.

Boosts flowering, fruiting, and foliage production:

When growth hormones are redirected to new growth rather than old, unproductive branches, the plant can concentrate its energy on producing more flowers, fruit, and lush foliage. This is particularly important for fruit trees and ornamental plants, as regular pruning can significantly increase their yield and visual appeal.

Removes dead and diseased wood:

Pruning is a critical maintenance task that helps to remove dead or diseased branches and foliage. These parts of the plant can attract pests or harbour disease, which can spread to healthy areas if not removed promptly. By cutting them away, you protect the plant’s overall health and prevent further damage.

Prevents the spread of disease:

Diseased branches not only hinder the growth of the plant but can also infect surrounding parts, weakening the plant over time. Pruning helps eliminate these problem areas, allowing the plant to channel its energy toward healthy growth and recover more effectively from any damage.

Improves air circulation:

One of the often-overlooked benefits of pruning is the way it improves airflow through the plant’s branches. By thinning out dense growth, pruning allows better air movement, which reduces humidity levels within the canopy. This can be a vital preventative measure against fungal diseases, which thrive in moist, stagnant environments.

The methods: Essential Pruning Techniques

Pruning methods may vary for different plants – but there are some basics to successful pruning.

To encourage healthier, more vigorous growth:

• Remove dead, dying, and diseased branches: Start by cutting away any branches that show signs of decay or disease. These branches not only weaken the plant but can also attract pests and spread infection to healthy areas. By removing them, you help the plant conserve energy and direct it towards healthy, productive growth. Regularly inspecting for and removing these damaged branches is critical for maintaining the overall health of the plant.
• Eliminate inward-growing or crossing branches: Any branches that grow inward, across, or through other branches should be removed. These branches can create congestion within the plant, reducing airflow and light penetration. By eliminating them, you open up the plant’s structure, promoting better air circulation and allowing light to reach all parts of the plant. This helps prevent fungal diseases and encourages the development of stronger, more evenly distributed growth.
• Trim away basal shoots: Remove any unwanted shoots growing from the base of fruit trees or ornamental plants, often referred to as “suckers.” These shoots can sap energy from the main trunk, diverting nutrients away from the plant’s primary growth areas. By trimming them away, you help the plant focus its resources on its core branches, resulting in stronger, healthier growth and better fruit or flower production.

To encourage bushier growth:

• Prune close to the bud: To stimulate dense, lateral growth, cut back branches to about a half an inch above a bud on the central stem or lateral buds that face outward or upward. Avoid leaving too much of a stub above the bud, as this can hinder healthy regrowth and make the plant more susceptible to disease. Always ensure that the buds you leave behind are positioned in the direction you want the new growth to occur, which is typically outward, to avoid crowding the plant’s interior.

• Cut at a downward-slanting angle: When pruning, always make your cuts at a downward-slanting angle, away from the bud. This technique prevents water from accumulating on the cut surface, which could lead to rot or disease. The slant encourages water to flow away from the bud, protecting it and promoting faster healing.
• Shape by cutting back branches: Cut back all the branches to the desired shape of the tree or shrub. This practice encourages uniform, bushier growth and helps maintain an attractive and balanced appearance. As the plant grows, you may need to regularly prune any errant or unruly growth to retain the shape you’ve established. By trimming back new growth throughout the growing season, you can guide the plant’s development and prevent it from becoming too leggy or uneven.

As a general rule, avoid removing more than a third of the plant’s total growth during pruning to prevent unnecessary stress. However, in cases where the tree or shrub is older, overgrown, or has extensive diseased or unwanted branches, more aggressive pruning may be necessary. Pruning can also have an indirect but significant impact on your lawn. By removing dense or overhanging branches, you allow more sunlight to reach the grass beneath, promoting healthier, thicker turf.

Pruning is not only a skill but also an art form. With practice, you’ll find that it becomes a rewarding and enjoyable part of gardening. Your plants will thrive, responding with vigorous new growth, healthier structures, and an abundance of flowers or fruit. By mastering the art of pruning, you’ll be rewarded with a vibrant, flourishing garden that reflects the care and attention you’ve invested.