Conifers are trees and shrubs that have needle-shaped leaves and produce cones instead of flowers. Conifer trees have only one main "leader" or trunk that extends to the top. Coniferous shrubs can be short, medium or tall with a more rounded shape, or they can be of the creeping or ground cover type such as "Blue Carpet" junipers. Regardless of whether conifers are tree or shrub-shaped, they are typically pruned the same way.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Using the Correct Pruning Method
Step 1. Prune the conifers in late winter or early spring
In general, conifers should be pruned in late winter or early spring, to encourage new branches and leaves to grow lush and healthy in summer. There is also less risk of fungal infections at this time of year, because the bark is more easily damaged as the trees grow.
Step 2. Choose sharp, sharp tools of the correct size
The tools used for pruning conifers must always be sharp, because this makes the operation safer and more effective. You can decide which type of tool to use based on the size of the branches to be pruned.
- If the branches are less than 1.5 cm thick, use your hands or trench pruners that cut with a scissor action. If the branches are between 1, 5 and 4 cm thick, use wire cutters or pruning shears.
- When the branches are more than 4 cm in diameter, use a pruning saw. The hedge trimmer or shears can be used to trim conifers that have grown as hedges or are held in a particular shape.
Step 3. Disinfect the pruning tools before using them
It is best for gardeners to disinfect all tools with alcohol or regular bleach before using them and starting to prune their trees. This helps to avoid the involuntary spread of any contaminants in the area.
Step 4. Determine which branches can and should be cut
The main trunk of a conifer usually should not be pruned. However, if the tree develops a second trunk, the weaker of the two can be pruned. You can also cut the branches to give order to the conifer if necessary.
- Remove entire branches to reduce growths with excessive thickness, if necessary, and thin out the interior of the conifer to improve air circulation and sun exposure. Branches that grow at an angle must also be removed.
- However, choose the branches carefully. Once an entire branch is removed from a coniferous tree or shrub, it will not grow back.
Step 5. Cut the branches at a 45 ° to 60 ° angle, in the correct position
Prune whole branches at a 45 ° to 60 ° angle, just above the branch collar.
- Be very careful not to damage the branch collar, which is the raised area of the bark at the base of the branch.
- Larger branches should be cut off at a distance of 15-30 cm from the branch collar.
Step 6. Make two cuts in each branch
Cut about halfway from underneath the branch, then cut in half from the top, about 2-3 cm away from where you made the cut on the underside of the branch.
- The weight of the branch will make it break. This eliminates the main weight of the branch and will protect the collar from damage. With the main weight removed, prune the rest of the branch down to the collar.
- When you only prune part of a branch, the cut should be done about half an inch after a new leaf sprout.
Step 7. Become familiar with the pruning needs of the species
Some species of conifers have specific requirements when it comes to pruning, so it's important that you take this into account.
- For example, pine trees have a main trunk that can be shortened to a stump of about 25 cm in order to produce a more compact and robust tree. The upper lateral branches should be trimmed so that they are about 5 cm shorter than the main branch. The lower branches can be pruned with such decreases as to form an overall pyramid shape.
- Douglas fir branches that have a circumference greater than 4 cm should not be pruned, because this exposes the plants to a great risk of fungal infections.
Step 8. Make sure you remove any diseased parts of the tree
Conifers with disease problems should have their branches pruned about 7-8 cm away from the infected parts, taking care to cut only live wood.
- Gardeners should wait for a dry period to cut down ailing trees, as this will reduce the spread of pathogens. It is also important to clean and sterilize 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 reusing them, as the disinfectant can cause damage to the tree.
- Diseased portions of the tree should be burned or left available to local waste disposal services for collection. These diseased parts shouldn't go into the compost bin.
Step 9. Consider hiring a specialist company to prune the trees
If the evergreen plants in question are located near power lines, it is better to go to a specialist company rather than handle the problem yourself.
- It is advisable for property owners to look around and ask for different opinions on the work they need, before choosing a company to do the task for them.
- In this way, the best opportunities are found and unnecessary expenses for unnecessary procedures are avoided.
Part 2 of 2: Avoid Pruning Mistakes
Step 1. Be aware that most conifer species will not survive severe pruning
Gardeners should keep in mind that most coniferous species, with the exception of the yew, cannot survive a drastic pruning.
Although green foliage can be cut back, trimming brown areas of old growth should be avoided as these spots will not regenerate if cut
Step 2. Avoid pruning in the empty, central area of the tree
Some conifers have an area in the center where no foliage grows, but this is normal and not indicative of problems.
- If this is the case, gardeners should avoid pruning in this area as this will result in a lopsided tree. Plants will not generate new growth to cover the hole.
- Hence, pruners should check foliage areas before making decisions about which branches to cut.
Step 3. Remove branches at the base of trees only when absolutely necessary
While the desire to remove the lower branches of a tree is understandable, gardeners who do so may eventually get an unsightly specimen when the tree grows higher. Therefore, pruners should work in moderation and only remove branches at the base when absolutely necessary.
Step 4. Avoid cutting the tops of evergreen trees
Evergreen plants should not be tall or trimmed to a certain height, as this will produce less-than-attractive trees. Tall trees are also more at risk for disease and other problems.
Step 5. Don't prune coniferous trees too late in the year
Conifers should not be pruned in the summer or fall. Late pruning can result in lush, new growth that won't have a chance to ripen before the cold winter weather sets in.
Advice
- Those wishing to prune their trees will need hand saws, power saws, and sharp hand shears to get their job done successfully. Chainsaws, hedge trimmers, axes and anvil shears for hand cutting are not recommended for pruning coniferous trees because they are mostly ineffective.
- Species such as "Green Giant" thuja, cedar (Cedrus spp.), Cypress (Chamaecyparis spp.), Junipers (Juniperus spp.) And badgers (Taxus spp.) Should be pruned from early to mid-summer to control their size.
- Pines (Pinus spp.) And some other types of conifers produce "candles" at the tips of the branches. The top half of each candle should be broken by hand each spring to encourage more intense growth of leaves and branches.
