If you prune clematis immediately after bloom time is finished, you won’t have to worry about removing next year’s flowers. Prune clematis for shape at this time, removing up to one third of the plant, if needed. You can use two hands to operate loppers. If you have a weak grip, you may find this easier than using secateurs with one hand. Early flushes of flowers are produced on the previous year’s growth, but later flushes form on the tips of the current year’s growth

Topping: Topping is a very severe form of pruning which involves removing all branches and growths down to a few large branches or to the trunk of the tree. When performed correctly it is used on very young trees, and can be used to begin training younger trees for pollarding or for trellising to form an espalier.Whether it’s an ancient shrub or a vigorous young plant, all lilacs can benefit from some well-placed cuts. Read more… Doing some basic research before you buy a plant is a good idea for all gardeners. Because pruning is best done as a young plant grows, learning what type and how to prune your plant is key. And make sure to allow enough space for mature dimensions at planting time.

Using secateurs for a long period of time can be hard work on the hands. If you have any issues with grip, or suffer from pain in your hands, look for ratchet secateurs / pruners. These make a cut through several small squeezes rather than one big one. They may need a little practice to operate. If the tree is of great importance to an area or town, (i.e. veteran or ancient) then an alternative solution to crown lifting would be to move the target or object so it is not in range. For example, diverting a footpath around a tree's drip line so the crown lift is not needed. Another solution would be to prop up or cable-brace the low hanging branch. This is a non-invasive solution which in some situations may be more economical and environmentally friendly. Tender jasmines, such as Jasminum polyanthum, need to be kept consistently warm, above 13˚C (55˚F). So take care not toleave them outside when night-time temperatures start to drop, and even indoors avoid leaving them in a cold spot at nightThese roses have great variation in size, growth, and flowering performance and generally only bloom once during a growing season. However, some shrubs need regular pruning to enhance the decorative impact of the plant, the flowering strength, and the overall shape of the plant in the gardeners design. Deciduous Shrubs After any renovation pruning make sure you feed and mulch in spring, if you want the plant to make vigorous growth.

Since narrow-leaved evergreens produce new growth in spring and fall and do not grow much in summer, prune the first or second week in April in warmer sections of Texas and the first or second week of May or June in cooler areas. The only exception to this rule is pines, which should be pruned before the candle growth develops in the spring. To know and practice the rules of pruning is most important, but of equal importance is using the correct tools. Equipment can be limited to a few items if the proper ones are selected. Select tools that will do the job, keep a sharp edge, and are relatively easy to sharpen and handle. Some of the most commonly used pruning tools are shown in this section. Good equipment properly cared for does a better job and lasts longer. Store equipment in a dry room, keep it sharp and in good operating condition. When pruning diseased plants, disinfect all shears and saw blades after each cut to prevent spreading disease to healthy plants. An example of this is pruning fire blight from pears, pyracantha or cotoneaster. Use alcohol or bleach to disinfect equipment between each cut when pruning diseased plants. Mix at the rate of one part bleach to nine parts water. At the end of the day, oil the pruning equipment well to avoid rusting. Hybrid tea roses bloom profusely during the summer months, and special care should be given to their initial pruning.

Plan Approach to Pruning

Unlike people, woody plants are unable to heal damaged tissues. Instead, they compartmentalize wounds with layers of cells and by producing defense compounds that help prevent the damage from spreading any further. The angle of pruning cuts impacts how well a tree or shrub will be able to grow over an injury. The proper angle of a cut can be determined by carefully observing two branch features, the branch collar and the branch bark ridge. The home gardener should limit pruning of mature trees to smaller branches that can be reached from the ground. Leave the trimming of large branches and work off the ground to professional arborists who are skilled climbers and have proper equipment and insurance. Trees generally require less pruning than other ornamentals in the landscape but may occasionally need corrective pruning to maintain health and vigor. Mature trees are generally pruned only for sanitation, safety or to restrict size. Trees are best pruned during the dormant season. This is especially true for oaks to help prevent the spread of oak wilt. It's often desirable for ornamental trees planted in a formal setting to have a central-leader (one leading upright branch in the centre of the tree), so formative pruning will consist of removing competing upright branches. However, in some situations gardeners might choose to remove the central-leader, as this can slow upward growth and limit the eventual height of a tree. Am I allowed to prune my tree?