All Star Landscaping, Inc. http://www.aslandscapinginc.com/services/trimming-services Glencoe Wildwood MO,63038 United States of America

1. LOWERING SHRUBS: HOW TO PRUNE
TECHNIQUES TO KEEP YOUR SHRUBS HEALTHY
Pruning is often a gardening necessity that is easily misunderstood and often practiced
incorrectly. Many times of at-home gardeners wait until the shrub has significantly
outgrown its intended designated area before they prune back its branches. Sometimes, at-
home gardeners incorrectly look at pruning as a spring ritual performed every year, believing
it absolutely must be done, when often times it simply is not needed.
Lowering shrubs, or pruning, needs to be seen as an essential part of maintenance rather than
as a solution to correcting often neglected problems. Pruning should include the elimination
of any diseased, dying or dead wood. Any branch or stub that is in the throes of dying is an
easily accessible entry point for any disease or insect that can then spread to all of the other
parts of the shrub.
FIVE METHODS OF PRUNING
Of the five basic techniques used for pruning shrubs, each method provides a way to improve
the health and future of the plant. Using a combination of pinching, thinning, renewal
pruning, shearing and heading back, and at-home gardener can perform every task of
pruning to benefit the shrub.
PINCHING
Pinching is simply the removal of a terminal portion of any green, succulent plant before it
has a chance to become firm and woody. Pinch pruning will eliminate the necessity of a
more drastic pruning in the near future.
THINNING
The least conspicuous technique of shrub pruning, Thinning allows the plant to become
more open without stimulating any type of new excessive growth. The ideal rule of thumb is
to make a lateral pruning cut that is no more than a third of the diameter of the branch being
excised. Thinning is often performed using a saw, loppers, or pruning shears. Never use
hedge shears. Once completed, the shrub may display itself with a straggly appearance.
RENEWAL PRUNING

2. Renewal pruning, also known as rejuvenation, is a technique that removes the shrub's oldest
branches through the process of pruning them down near the ground. This leaves the
younger, bigger branches to reinvigorate the plant, to a healthier state. Tiny stems (those less
than the diameter of a pencil) should also be excised.
SHEARING
Shearing is a procedure that involves the cutting of most shoots. It is performed with hedge
or shearing clippers. Typically used for forming a formal hedge, Shearing often destroys the
natural traditional shape of the shrub.
HEADING BACK
The process of Heading Back is simply removing the terminal portion of any woody branch
using the method of cutting it back to a healthy branch or bud. This pruning method will
stimulate the growth of new shoots just below the cut, making the plant much denser.
Before beginning any type of pruning, it is essential to disinfect the pruning equipment using
nine parts water to one part chlorine. Use a cup or bowl that is large enough to dip the
pruning tool into the solution between each cut. Neglecting this procedure provides the
opportunity to easily spread the disease to different parts of the shrub, or even to other
plants.