Pruning is essential to maintain both the health and appearance of a tree. Climatic hazards and diseases cause damage and this operation is one of the ways to prevent or remedy them. The growth of the plant will be optimized and its shape well balanced. The flowering will also be of better quality. The most important thing? Regularly performing this operation will ensure compliance with city regulations. Then find out the key steps to perform the first tree pruning of the season.
The formation pruning has an aesthetic objective. It shapes the silhouette of the tree and helps to harmonize the overall look of the garden. It is best to do this during the first three years of the plant, the period when the plant is taking shape.
Training pruning concerns various species of trees, especially fruit trees. It makes them stronger and allows them to better handle hanging fruit. Many gardeners do this in winter, especially during the dormant season.
This practice is essential to maintain a healthy tree and allow it to grow properly. Note that it must be done on a regular basis. Maintenance pruning is done on a mature plant. The objective is to maintain its original appearance while airing it out a bit.
It should be noted that maintenance pruning and formation pruning have similar characteristics, since unsightly branches of the tree are shortened in both cases. Flowers and wilted leaves are removed at the same time. These operations contribute to the good growth of the plant.
This pruning is done on trees and shrubs that are victims of disease or weakness. It aims to (re)give them strength and health. This operation is performed on plants that have been damaged by weather or poor maintenance. In concrete terms, it is necessary to remove diseased or dead wood, rubbing branches and those oriented in an unfavorable direction. The structure and the volume remain intact.
Sanitary pruning is particularly concerned with defective branches, especially those in danger of falling. This method can be combined with the application of specific products to control disease-causing pests.
It can be a routine operation or a specific intervention. This pruning aims to improve flowering, in particular by encouraging the penetration of sunlight into the heart of the plant. Flowering pruning is done towards the end of the flowering period. In practice, dead wood, branches that have already produced flowers during the previous season and forked stems should be removed.