If the branches are less than ½-inch thick, use hand or bypass pruners that cut with a scissor action. If the branches are larger than ½-inch thick but less than 1 1⁄2 inches (3. 8 cm) in diameter, use loppers or lopping shears. When the branches are more than 1 1⁄2 inches (3. 8 cm) in diameter, use a pruning saw. Hedge clippers or shears can be used to shape conifers that are grown as a hedge or maintained in a particular shape. [2] X Trustworthy Source University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Division of the University of Georgia focused on research and community education Go to source
Remove entire branches to thin out overly-thick growth, if necessary, and open the interior of the conifer up for better sun exposure and air circulation. Branches that are growing at angles will also need to be removed. Choose the branches carefully, though. Once an entire branch is removed from either a tree or shrub conifer, it will not grow back.
Be very careful not to damage the branch collar, which is the raised area of bark at the base of the branch. Larger branches should be cut off 6 to 12 inches (15. 2 to 30. 5 cm) away from the branch collar.
The weight of the branch will cause it to snap off. This will eliminate the main weight of the branch and protect the branch collar from damage. Prune the rest of the branch back to the branch collar. When only part of a branch is pruned off, the cut should be made about ¼ inch beyond a new leaf bud.
For instance, pine trees have a leader, or main stem, that can be reduced to a 10 inch (25. 4 cm) stub in order to produce a stockier, more compact tree. The side branches at top should be trimmed until they are about 5 inches (12. 7 cm) shorter than the top branch. The downward limbs can be pruned in decreasing increments to form a pyramid-like overall shape. Branches on Douglas fir trees that are over 5 inches (12. 7 cm) around should not be pruned, because this puts the plants at a great risk for fungal infections.
Gardeners should wait for a period of dry weather to trim ailing trees because this will reduce the spread of pathogens. It’s also important to clean and sterilize the pruners with a household disinfectant before and after each use to help reduce the spread of disease. Use a rag to wipe the disinfectant off the pruners before using them again, as disinfectant can cause damage to the tree. The diseased portions of the tree should either be burned or left for the local waste disposal crews to pick up. These limbs should not go into the compost bin.
It is recommended that estate owners shop around and get several opinions on the work they need done before selecting a company to perform the task for them. In this way, one will find the best bargains and avoid the needless expense of unnecessary procedures.
Although the green foliage can be trimmed, the brown areas of old growth should be left alone because these places will not regenerate if cut.
In trees where this is the case, gardeners should avoid pruning into this area because doing so will result in a lopsided tree. The plants will not grow back to cover up the hole. [4] X Trustworthy Source Virginia Cooperation Extension Publications and Educational resources from Virginia Tech and Virginia State University Go to source Therefore, tree trimmers should check the foliage areas before making decisions about which branches to lop off
