Tree Pruning Tips for Maintaining Your Yard

Pruning involves cutting parts of a tree to bring about desired effects. For the best results, the process must begin at young age but even adult trees can still show good response. A tree pruned in the best manner has a good shape, produces high yield, withstands diseases, and can bear heavy weight of fruits or snow. Outlined below are general tree pruning tips you should be aware of. 

Not all the seasons 

Various trees have different seasons in which they can be pruned. Doing so during a wrong season might lead to damage or fail to produce the desired results. If unsure get tree pruning tips from your local gardening store. 

Shape up from young age 

Let a tree grow for one year. This will allow branches to develop. Trim the shoot up to the uppermost bud. Count another two buds on the upper side and eliminate the rest. During the second and third year, clear all the lower shoots leaving only four or five of the best placed. After each while, cut the new shoot to half the length of the longest lateral bud in your preferred direction.

pruning tips

Strengthening your tree 
You can start strengthening your tree after 5 years. If it is an apple tree, select a lateral bud and put a mark near its furthest end. Leave it unpruned till the next winter. When this reaches, go and cut the extension that has formed past the mark. Leave it till the next year whereupon you will cut the whole branch and leave only a knob. The branch that forms from here will be strong enough to handle the weight of fruits. 

Give some care 

On adult trees, maintain air circulation by reducing the number of leaves. Also ensure the branches are well spaced and avoid crossings. Remember to cut out all dead regions to prevent infections. 

Conclusion 

Pruning needs a careful and dedicated person. You might need to get more tree pruning tips from experienced people. The overall results take time but they eventually come.