The Perfect Rule To Remember Before Attempting To Prune A Tree This Year

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Whether you're a new or experienced gardener, the task of pruning trees can be daunting at best and downright nerve-racking at worst. Knowing how to prune your trees the right way to promote growth, avoid infection, and deter pests without causing damage to the plant often feels like a delicate balance, particularly because the rules can vary depending on the type of tree. However, there is one handy rule that works for any tree that needs pruning and can help guide your shears in the right way to keep your own plants healthy and thriving — the three D's. 

When considering where to prune your trees, keep in mind the types of branches that fall under these three categories, beginning with 'D': dead, damaged, or diseased. These are the parts of the trees that are no longer beneficial to their growth and which should be removed to prevent them from becoming a drain on the plant's overall resources. Dead branches can be identified by a lack of new growth or twigs and leaves falling off prematurely. You can also check if a branch has died by lightly scraping it with your fingernail. If the material underneath is brown instead of green, then it is likely dead. Damaged branches are often visible to the naked eye and are caused by extreme storms or falling debris. And, finally, signs of diseased branches include strange spots or discoloration on the leaves, the presence of a powdery mildew substance, or unusual growth such as bloated bark and tightly bunched leaves. If you are unsure whether a branch has been infected with a disease, then it is most likely a good idea to remove it to avoid the possibility of the infection spreading and to help you grow gorgeous, healthy trees.

Starting off with dead branches, as these may be the easiest to spot outright, you will first want to examine the branch to see how far the dead tissue goes. If the branch isn't too thick or it has begun to lose its mass, you may be able to simply break off the branch without the need for any special tools. Be careful, however, not to damage any healthy bark that may have grown up around the base of the dead branch, as this could harm the tree itself. If the branch is broad or you are in danger of hurting the trunk, you may want to look into the best pruning tool for your needs, such as these large Fiskars Tree Trimmers from Amazon, to carefully cut the dead wood away at the base.

For upper branches that have been broken or damaged and are unable to recover, make a cut at a 45-degree angle right below where the break occurred. This will stop excess water from sitting on the cut and possibly harming the tree. However, if the damaged branches are too high up, it may be a good idea to call a professional tree surgeon to deal with the broken pieces in order to avoid injury. Finally, to remove diseased branches, locate where the healthy bark has grown up at the base of the branch. Just beyond that, make a small undercut, slicing through half of the branch. Then, slice from the top so that the two cuts join and the branch comes off. If the branch is particularly long, you can also cut it off halfway and then make a second cut closer to the base.