A. Prune to promote plant health.
- Remove dead or dying branches injured by disease, severe insect infestation, animals, storms, or other adverse mechanical damage.
- Remove branches and branch stubs that rub together.
- Avoid topping trees. Removing large branches leaves stubs that can cause several health problems. It also destroys the plant’s natural shape and promotes suckering and development of weak branch structure.
B. Prune to maintain plants.
- Encourage flower and fruit development.
- Maintain a dense hedge.
- Maintain a desired tree form or special garden forms.
C. Prune to improve plant appearance
Appearance in the landscape is essential to a plant’s usefulness. For most landscapes, a plant’s natural form is best. Avoid shearing shrubs into tight geometrical forms that can adversely affect flowering. Alter a plant’s natural form only if it needs to be confined or trained for a specific purpose. When plants are pruned properly, it is difficult to see that they have been pruned.
- Control tree size.
- Maintain trees in a well-proportioned shape.
- Remove unwanted branches, fronds and undesirable fruiting structures that detract from plant appearance.
D. Prune to protect people and property.
- Remove dead branches.
- Have hazardous trees taken down.
- Prune out weak or narrow-angled tree branches that overhang homes, parking areas, and sidewalks - anyplace falling limbs could injure people or damage property.
- Eliminate branches that interfere with street lights, traffic signals, and overhead wires.
- Prune branches that obscure vision at intersections.
For security purposes, prune shrubs or tree branches that obscure the entry to your home.