Horticulture Principles and Practices

19.4.4 LADDERS
Ladders, tools for extending the reach of an operator during pruning, should be used with
care. They must be set up properly to ensure good stability. Leaning while standing on a
ladder should be avoided. Of the different types of ladders available, those most
recommended include the following:
1. Orchard ladder. This three-legged tool has added stability from its wide stance.
2. Extension ladder. This ladder can be adjusted in length and is useful for reaching
high places on a tree.
572 Chapter 19 Pruning
19.5 PRUNING TECHNIQUES
19.5.1 GENERAL GUIDELINES
The exact way a particular pruning method is implemented is determined by a number
of factors including species, goal to be accomplished, whether the plant is grown strictly
for ornamental purposes or for producing fruits, and the environment in which the plant
is growing. Fruit trees are pruned differently from ornamental landscape trees and
bushes; flowering plants are pruned differently from foliage plants.
In selecting and implementing a method of pruning, one should consider not only
the desired outcome but also how the species responds to pruning, especially in terms of
the extent of pruning. Further, one method may be suited to one species but not to
another.
Notwithstanding the method, certain general guidelines may be followed for
successful pruning:
1. Have clearly defined goals.
2. Prune at the appropriate time. Some plants may be pruned any time of the year,
while others are best pruned when dormant (late fall to early winter).
3. Proceed cautiously. Take time to look at the plant to determine which limb needs
to be pruned. It is better to cut less and revisit the plant later for further pruning
than to cut too much in one instance.
4. Use sharp tools and make clean cuts. Avoid tearing off the bark of the plant.
Clean cuts heal much faster and reduce the chance of disease infection.
5. Prune the parts that must be pruned first. Phytosanitation is important in any
pruning operation. All dead or dying parts and broken limbs should be removed.
6. Branches that grow inward toward the center of the canopy are prime candidates
for pruning. Outward-growing branches should be encouraged. Branches that are
acutely angled with respect to the central axis are also candidates for pruning.
Similarly, stems and branches that are squeezed cause cracks to form.
7. Look for abnormal growths. Species have certain natural forms, and as such
pruning is more successful when the natural tendencies of plants are taken into
account. For example, it is easier to prune a species with a cone-shaped canopy to
remain cone shaped than to force it to assume a spherical shape.
8. For fruiting plants, it is critical to know the fruiting habits (i.e., lateral or
terminal) and identify and distinguish between vegetative and fruit buds or
branches.
9. Seek the help of a professional arborist if a large limb or high branches require the
use of a ladder.
19.5.2 CUTTING
Cutting is the primary activity in pruning. After determining which branch or limb to
cut, the next critical step is deciding how to cut it. A wrong cut may ruin a bud or