HORT- Unit 11
8 general pointers that should be followed when making pruning cuts
1) Define the pruning goals and the best time of year to prune 2) Never take too much off 3) Use sharp tools to produce sharp cuts that heal more quickly than torn cuts 4) Start the process of pruning with parts that pose a threat to the plant such as any dead or dying materials 5) Select branches with wide branch angle (45degrees) because branches with a narrow angle (20degrees) will split under windy conditions or the weight of fruit 6) Do not prune too close to the trunk in order to avoid making a large wound that will not heal quickly; do not leave too much of a stub in order to avoid disease taking hold of that portion of the tree 7) Leave a small portion of the stem above the bud 8) Prune branches that are growing inward toward the center of the tree
2 pruning methods commonly used for evergreens
1) Formal- Formal hedges are created by planting and pruning to form a specific geometric shape 2) Informal- Informal hedges allowed to grow freely in their natural shape
4 key internal portions of a tree
1) Phloem 2) Cambium 3) Xylem 4) Pith
5 important external portions of a tree
1) crown (canopy) 2) terminal (leader) 3) scaffold branches 4) trunk 5) suckers (water spouts)
5 commonly used pruning tools
1) shears (hand, lopping, and hedge) 2) manual saws (bow, tree surgery, two edged, folding, ridge handled curved) 3) power saw (electric power chain or gasoline powered), 4) pole saws 5) pruners
2 commonly used trellises used for grape
1) single wire 2) double wire
2 pruning methods for grapes
1) spur pruning- several canes are left but are trimmed to a length of only a few inches, containing just one or two nodes each. 2) cane pruning- all but 3 or 4 canes from the year's growth are removed. The remaining canes are left with 6-10 nodes which produce the next year's canopy
What are 5 important pruning goals?
1) trim plants to maintain their natural beauty 2) trim plants to obtain a desired effect 3) eliminate dangerous branches 4) enhance overall plant health 5) enhance flower and fruit production
How are plum trees pruned?
1. Examine the tree with a critical eye 2. Develop a pruning plan 3. Learn to make clean cuts 4. Work your way up the tree 5. Clean up
How are peach trees pruned?
1. Remove all hanger shoots, rootstock suckers, and water sprouts in the lower three feet of the tree. ... 2. Remove all shoots above 7 feet other than red 18- to 24-inch fruiting shoots. 3. Remove all shoots which grow toward the inside of the tree. 4. Remove all old, gray wood in the 3- to the 7-foot fruit production zone.
Neonicotinoids
Aphids, borers and bark beetles, galls, leaf chewing beetles, leafhoppers, leafminers, mites, sawflies, thrips
Pyrethoids
Aphids, borers and bark beetles, galls, leaf chewing beetles, leafhoppers, leafminers, mites, sawflies, thrips
Organophosphate
Aphids, caterpillars, galls, leaf chewing beetles, leafhoppers, leafminers, sawflies, scales, thrips
Botanicals
Aphids, caterpillars, leafhoppers, leafminers, sawflies, scales, thrips, leaf chewing beetles
Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs)
Aphids, caterpillars, leafminers, scales, thrips
Horticultural oil
Aphids, galls, mites, sawflies, scales
Why is pruning important?
Because it removes dead and dying branches and stubs, allowing room for new growth and protecting your property and passerby from damage. It also deters pest and animal infestation and promotes the plant's natural shape and healthy growth.
Microbial and microbial-derived
Caterpillar, leafminers, mites, thrips, sawflies
insecticidal soaps
Caterpillars, galls, leafhoppers, mites, sawflies, scales
what is wound dressing and is it affective? Why or why not?
Covering the wounds with tar, asphalt, paint or other petroleum solvents to "heal" the tree quickly. Wound dressings are unnecessary. They have not been proven to speed the closure process nor to reduce infection.
Flowering shrubs develop next year's buds just before flowering, T/F?
False
If trees and shrubs are watered deploy, shallow root systems are encouraged to develop, T/F?
False
In times of drought, trees and shrubs do not require watering, T/F?
False
Once established, in times of drought, trees and shrubs do not require watering, T/F?
False
Tree topping, which reduces the total height of the tree one-third to one-half by removing upper scaffold branches, is a common practice today, T/F?
False
When pruning trees, leave the water sprouts intact in encourage vigorous growth, T/F?
False
When pruning, it is very important to prune as close to the trunk as possible, T/F?
False
Incorrect pruning practices
Flush Cutting- a pruning technique where branches are cut below the branch collar, usually along the bark ridge, or trunk. Stub Cutting- occurs when branches are pruned too far from the stem, leaving a branch stub. ... Lopping- is when a branch is cut anywhere other than at a union or node. Bark tearing- can occur when large branches are not removed properly.
When should you prune deciduous, spring-blooming trees and shrubs?
In late winter or early spring
When should you prune deciduous, summer-blooming trees and shrubs?
In late winter or early spring
which of the 2 pruning methods commonly used for evergreens is used more today?
Informal Pruning
How does Oak wilt virus affect pruning?
It affects when you prune oak trees. Remember the no prune dates of April 15 - July 15 to reduce the chance of oak wilt infection and spread.
What happens if a fruit trees is trained incorrectly?
It sets out more fruit than it can support
What is a trash tree or a tree that has weak wood?
It sheds yucky fruit or mounds of leaves. It emits a foul odor. It's bred to grow so fast it develops a weak-wood structure and therefore lives only a short life.
Is tree topping commonly used today?
It used to be but is not anymore because it is bad for the tree.
best time of year to prune
Late fall to early winter
Why is it important to prune most roses?
Pruning stimulates growth and results in more blooms and a healthier plant overall. -Remove dead and diseased branches (also called "canes"). -Rejuvenate the plant and encourage blooming. -Encourage airflow through the shrub. -Control size and shape.
What should be done to pruning equipment prior to use to obtain the best results?
Pruning tools should be sharp before pruning.
How are apple trees pruned?
Remove 20% to 30% of the active growth from last year using thinning cuts. Prune the branches back to about one-quarter inch above an outward-facing bud.
How should pruning tools be maintained?
Remove any ingrained dirt or sap, using a wire brush or wire wool if necessary. Wash them in soapy water then dry them. Pruners, loppers, and shears are all sharpened in much the same way. Hold the tool firmly in position then pass the sharpener over the edge of the blade.
How should the pruning tools discussed be used?
Remove any ingrained dirt or sap, using a wire brush or wire wool if necessary. Wash them in soapy water then dry them. Pruners, loppers, and shears are all sharpened in much the same way. Hold the tool firmly in position then pass the sharpener over the edge of the blade.
limbing up
Removing the lower branches
This type of pruning is commonly used in flowering shrubs that have stopped flowering and fruit trees that have been neglected.
Renewal pruning
When should you prune evergreen trees and shrubs?
Spring
arboriculture
The study of trees, their growth and culture.
Topping
Tree topping is the practice of removing large branches and/or trunks from the top of a tree's canopy.
By thinning out the plant, more light is able to penetrate to promote better fruit set, increased productivity, and overall quality, T/F?
True
Evergreens have a dead zone 6 to 12 inches below the green needles, T/F?
True
Fertilization can be used to increase flower production in trees, shrubs, and flowering plants, T/F?
True
Leaving too much of a stub from the branch being pruned can cause disease to enter the tree, T/F?
True
Shade trees growing in the home landscape require little pruning, T/F?
True
Why are fruit trees pruned differently from shade trees?
With fruit trees, you are growing a crop, maybe even for monetary gain. Therefore, you will be manipulating the tree's growth more than you would when pruning shade trees
Do we have Oak Wilt in our area?
Yes
What is Oak Wilt Virus?
a lethal disease caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum. The fungus invades and disables the water-conducting system in white, red and other oak species.
renewal pruning
a method of pruning used to rejuvenate old plants by removing old unproductive branches, thereby promoting vigorous growth.
modified central leader
a pruning system that is the same as the central leader tree form system in the early stages to permit the formation of strong scaffold branches are established, the central leader is removed to create an open center.
open center tree form
a pruning system that leaves the center of the tree open to permit good sunlight penetration.
What is Crepe murder?
a term credited to a 1997 article in Southern Living magazine that refers to the needless late fall and winter practice of cutting crapemyrtles down to stubs.
why is late fall to early winter the best time of year to prune?
because few other farming operations are done at this time.
How are pear trees pruned?
begins at planting time. Cut back young, unbranched trees 33 to 36 inches (84-91 cm.) above the ground to encourage good branching.
Carbamate
caterpillars, galls, leaf chewing beetles, leafhoppers, leafminers, sawflies, scales
What is a crotch-angle?
considered narrow or 'tight' when there is less than 45° between the two limbs.
When do flowering plants initiate their flower buds?
fall
A good design and proper installation do not mean there will be a reduction in the amount of annual maintenance, T/F?
false
An important pruning goal is to decrease flower and fruit production, T/F?
false
Flowering shrubs develop next years buds during the early spring, T/F?
false
It is not always important to have specific goals in mind prior to pruning to achieve the best results, T/F?
false
Tree paint should be used to protect wounds after pruning, T/F?
false
When pruning, it is important to select branches with narrow branch angles to achieve a more compact plant, T/F?
false
dead zone
in evergreens, it is the area 6 to 12 inches below the green needles on the branch.
What is a three-part cut?
involves making three separate cuts to a branch with a pruning saw
Tipping
is the removal of the top 2 to 3 inches of the primocane - fresh growth from the current growing year.
When should you prune spring and summer flowering trees and shrubs?
it is best to prune many plants during the growing season to facilitate rapid sealing of the wound. If your trees and shrubs flower after the end of June, prune them in winter or early spring before new growth starts.
What are some examples of weak trees that are commonly grown in our area?
mesquite, crepemyrtle, ash trees, etc.
Miticides
mites
This pruning method allows good sunlight penetration to help fruit ripen.
open center tree form
central leader method
pruning system where one strong upward-growing branch is identified and trained to grow as the central axis of the tree.
what is tree topping?
reducing the total height of the tree by one-third to one-half by removing upper scaffold branches
This type of pruning is used to rejuvenate old plants by removing old unproductive branches, thereby promoting vigorous growth.
renewal pruning
head height
the height of the scaffold branches aboveground at the adult stage.
Topiary
the horticultural practice of training perennial plants by clipping the foliage and twigs of trees, shrubs, and subshrubs to develop and maintain clearly defined shapes, whether geometric or fanciful
scaffold branch
the main branch growing from the trunk of the tree
central leader
the main upright shoot of the tree
thinning out
the removal of excess vegetative growth to open the plant canopy and reduce the number of fruiting branches with the goal of promoting large and overall better-quality fruits.
heading back
the removal of the tips of terminal branches to promote secondary branching.
3 major types of pruning
thinning out, heading back, renewal pruning
An important pruning goal is to maintain the plants' natural beauty, T/F?
true
Grapes are usually grown on trellises, T/F?
true
topiary
used to describe a plant that has been trained and pruned into formal geometric or abstract shapes
When should roses be pruned?
very early spring
What happens if you prune at the wrong time of the year? Will it kill the plant?
you can do major damage to the health of the plant. Plants going into dormancy are storing up energy, and if you cut off healthy branches during this time, the plant may not be able to break dormancy with enough vigor.
