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- Although winter is the best time for pruning since the trees are dormant, a little upkeep during the summer can keep your yard in shape.
- Make sure you are using the correct tool for the job: a hand pruner is for stems and small branches, a lopper is for thick branches and a pruning saw is for especially thick branches.
- Wear gloves for protection and rinse off tools after trimming to prevent the spreading of disease from one tree to another.
- Cut stray branches on trees that are done blooming to allow for increased flowering next year.
- Trim branches back to allow trees to get sufficient light and air, but don’t trim more than 25% of a trees green leaves.
- Trim off dead branches
- Prune ornamental trees to help maintain their shape
- Take off any new shoots growing out of the trunk or branches as these can drain the nutrients
- When cutting large branches, cut a wedge under the limb about 6 inches from where the branch meets the trunk (branch collar), then from a few more inches out cut vertically from the top of the limb through the branch, then cut the stub parallel to the collar.
- For small branches, use pruning shears to cut at a slight angle just beyond a healthy bud or leaf