QUARTER 1 AFA-LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION AND

MAINTENACE 10
Information Sheet 2

MAINTENANCE OPERATION: TRIM AND PRUNE

LANDSCAPE

INTRODUCTION

Trimming and pruning landscape plants are essential practices that form the backbone of any
well-manicured outdoor space. Whether you're an avid gardener, a homeowner looking to enhance
your property's curb appeal, or a professional landscaper seeking to create stunning outdoor
environments, understanding the art and science of trimming and pruning is crucial.

In this topic, we will examine the reasons why trimming and pruning are indispensable to the
health and aesthetics of your landscape plants. We will also uncover the various techniques, tools,
and considerations that go into this delicate process, as well as the benefits it brings to your plants,
your property, and the overall environment. Whether you're seeking to shape ornamental shrubs,
maintain fruit-bearing trees, or simply keep your garden thriving, our journey into the world of trimming
and pruning will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to create and sustain an outdoor
oasis of natural beauty.

WHAT IS PLANT/TREE TRIMMING?

Plant/tree trimming is the process of removing tree parts for reasons other than the health of
the tree. This is usually done to improve the plant/tree’s appearance and functionality within the
landscape. Trimming is most often used to maintain the overall size or shape of a tree or shrub or to
increase light to the lawn.

WHAT IS PLANT/TREE PRUNING?

Plant/tree pruning can include the same objectives as trimming but also includes the health of
the tree. Carefully and strategically cutting back live branches to improve tree structure, cleaning
deadwood for health and safety, or removing diseased branches are all good examples of pruning.
This helps trees establish a strong structure for growth and keeps them looking their best. The
frequency depends on objectives, expectations of the client, and the location and type of tree, but
most trees will need to be pruned every one to three years.

Plant/Tree pruning is a more complex task than trimming.

PRUNING VS. TRIMMING

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 There are a lot of people who believe that plant/tree pruning, and plant/tree trimming are the
same things. They are similar, but there are some notable differences to keep in mind. It can be
helpful to look at a table that goes through the differences between tree pruning and tree trimming.
Some of the most important points to keep in mind include:

Tree Pruning Tree Trimming

The goal of tree trimming is to promote

Tree pruning is typically used to remove
healthy growth of your branches and
unnecessary branches.
leaves.

In addition to shears, saws and trimmers

Tree pruning is typically done using shears,
are often used during the tree trimming
such as hand shears or topping shears.
process.

Tree pruning is typically done once per year. Tree trimming usually takes place twice
Dormant trees are typically pruned during per year. One appointment usually takes
the winter to ensure they grow well during place just after the flowers begin to
the spring. bloom.

It is important for you to reach out to a professional who has experience with tree pruning and
tree trimming. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you, reach out to us today.

WHY PRUNE?

Pruning is one of the most important cultural practices in landscape management. Proper
pruning helps keep plants attractive and vigorous and will add years to the plant’s usefulness. Many
people are apprehensive about pruning, but knowing how, when, and why to prune will end these
fears. 1. Prune to maintain plant health. Remove dead, damaged, or diseased plant tissue to
maintain plant health and vigor.
2. Prune to remove misshapen, crowded and rubbing branches and branches with narrow
crotch angles. These pruning cuts eliminate problems before plant damage occurs.
3. Prune to increase flowering and fruiting. More flower buds will be formed for the following
season if old flowers are removed when they lose their attractiveness, a practice called dead heading.
4. Prune to train plants to a particular size or shape, including hedge and espalier forms.

5. Prune to rejuvenate old, overgrown shrubs and restore plant density, shape, and vigor.
Large-habit plants in the wrong place, like hollies, privet and photinia planted in front of windows,

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should be replaced. When cut back or pruned severely, the large root system that remains helps these
plants quickly resume their original size.

PRUNING TOOLS

Like other products on the market today, pruning tools are available in a wide range of brand
names, styles, and prices. When purchasing tools, shop for quality and durability before price. Look for
tool manufacturers that provide replacement parts on request and offer warranties against faulty
materials or workmanship.

Figure 1: Pruning Tools

Most pruning tasks in the home landscape can be done using hand pruners, lopping shears,
pruning saws, pole pruners or hedge shears (Figure 1).

There are two basic types of hand pruners: (1) scissor-action or draw-cut pruners and (2) anvil
action or snap cut pruners. The scissor-action pruner has a sharpened blade that cuts by gliding
against a thicker sharp blade. The anvil-action pruner has a sharp blade that cuts against a broad,
flattened, grooved blade. Scissor-action pruners usually cost more than anvil-action pruners and
generally make closer, smoother cuts. Anvil-action pruners can make larger cuts easier than scissor-
action pruners. Hand pruners cut small twigs and branches up to a half inch in diameter. For larger
branches, a half inch to 1.5 inches in diameter, lopping shears are best.

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Lopping shears, sometimes called loppers, are like scissor-action hand pruners except they have
larger blades and long handles that increase leverage. When using loppers, cut in one smooth stroke
to avoid injuring the branch.

Figure 2. Pruner with ratchet action.

Loppers and hand pruners with ratchet action are helpful to people who have arthritis or lack
strength in their hands. These tools have built-in ratchets that increase leverage and allow you to
prune while exerting minimum hand strength (Figure 2).

Use a pruning saw for branches larger than 1.5 inches in diameter. A pruning saw has a
narrower blade (for easier maneuvering) and coarser points or teeth than a common carpentry saw.
Most pruning saws also have curved blades that cut on the draw stroke (pulling the blade toward you).
Handle shapes vary among pruning saws and are a matter of personal preference. One type of
pruning saw, the folding saw, is available for safety-conscious individuals. The bow saw, another type
of pruning saw, makes large cuts but may be awkward to maneuver in tight areas.

Pole pruners remove branches from trees that cannot be reached from the ground. Most pole
pruners have both a cutting blade and a saw. The cutting blade is operated from the ground by a long
rope or lanyard that is pulled downward. The pole can be made from aluminum, fiberglass or plastic.
Some poles fit together in three 6-foot-long sections, while newer models have a telescoping type of
extension. Due to the risk of electrocution, avoid using aluminum handled pole pruners near power
lines.

Use hedge shears (manual, gasoline-powered, electric) to shear or clip hedges or other plants
only when you want a neatly trimmed appearance. Do not cut large branches with hedge shears.

To keep all pruning tools in good shape, sharpen and oil their blades at the end of each
season. When sharpening loppers, hedge shears and scissor-action hand shears, sharpen only the
outside surfaces of the blades so the inside surfaces remain flat and slide smoothly against one
another. It is best to have pruning saws sharpened by a professional. Oil blades by wiping them with a
cloth saturated in household oil and treat wooden handles with linseed oil.

TYPES OF PRUNING

1. CROWN THINNING

Crown thinning is an essential tree pruning procedure that removes smaller, weaker limbs from
the tops of your trees. This opens up the tree canopy, allowing more air and light penetration to the

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branches and leaves below. Crown thinning also lightens larger limbs’ loads, lowering the risk of losing
bigger branches in a spring thunderstorm.

2. DEAD PRUNING

Removing dead, dying, or diseased branches is an essential part of having trees on your
property. Dead pruning not only removes infected limbs, but also improves the appearance of your
trees, instantly boosting your property’s curb appeal. Removing all of the dead branches lowers the
risk of injury to you and your home.

3. CROWN REDUCTION
If your trees’ overall height is a concern, then they’re the perfect candidates for crown
reduction. By removing small branches attached to the larger, heavier branches, crown reduction
ensures that your trees don’t become too top-heavy. This type of pruning is especially crucial for
younger trees, and helps promote the young tree to continue to grow big and strong without all the
added weight of smaller branches.

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4. CROWN LIFTING
Crown lifting is the pruning process that removes the low-hanging branches and limbs that are
weighing down the higher ones. This process is usually done for trees that overhang sidewalks, roads,
or even your home. However, this process is harmful to larger, more mature trees, making it a process
intended for younger trees. Crown lifting also allows for your trees to match the rest of your
landscaping, leaving them both well-manicured and healthy.

5. POLLARDING
Pollarding involves removing all branches so that all that remains is a framework of the
secondary branches along the main stem. Pollarding begins when your trees are still young and is
done at regular intervals during their lifespan. This type of trimming provides a constant supply of
small diameter poles without killing your tree.

Trimming and pruning plants and trees is an essential practice in horticulture and arboriculture
that not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of our outdoor spaces but also promotes their health and
longevity. By selectively removing dead or overgrown branches, we allow for better air circulation,
sunlight penetration, and overall structural integrity. This not only ensures the well-being of the plants
and trees but also contributes to the safety of our surroundings by reducing the risk of falling
branches.

Furthermore, thoughtful trimming and pruning can help shape and control the growth of plants,
making them more resilient to environmental stressors and enabling us to create beautiful landscapes.
It's crucial to approach this task with care and knowledge, as improper pruning can harm plants and
trees.

In essence, trimming and pruning are more than just aesthetic practices; they are a
responsible stewardship of our natural environment, promoting healthier, safer, and more appealing
landscapes for generations to come.

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REFERENCES
https://treenewal.com/whats-the-difference-between-tree-pruning-and-tree-trimming/
https://www.bloomslandcare.com/blog/tree-trimming-vs-tree-pruning-whats-difference/
https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/documents/pb1619.pdf
https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B961&title=pruning-
ornamental-plants-in-the-landscape

Prepared by:

ZENAIDA N. REMPIS
Master Teacher 1
TLE Department