Pruning Ornamental Plants By Johnny M Jessup Agriculture
Pruning Ornamental Plants By: Johnny M. Jessup Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor
Principles of Pruning • Shrubs that produce flowers on wood grown the previous season should be pruned immediately after flowers fall off. • Examples include early spring flowers like…. • Forsythia • Azaleas • Spirea
Early Spring Flowers SPIREA FORSYTHIA AZALEAS
Principles of Pruning • Shrubs that bloom on current year’s growth should be pruned in the fall or early spring. • Example: • Roses ROSES
Principles of Pruning • Some shrubs require annual pruning to thin out old, dead wood like…. • Hydrangea • Spirea HYDRANGEA SPIREA
Principles of Pruning • Some suckers or shoots from plant roots should be removed to keep plant from becoming too thick.
Methods of Pruning • Thinning • Removal of certain branches to open up the plant and keep the natural shape.
Methods of Pruning • Heading Back • Removes the end section of branches at the same height so that new shoots make the plant thicker.
Methods of Pruning • Renewal Pruning • Removes old branches that are large and unproductive by cutting them back to ground level. • Usually effective on flowering shrubs.
Methods of Pruning • Root Pruning • Usually done growing season prior to transplanting. • General Rule is…. • One inch of stem diameter equals 10” of circle diameter for pruning roots around plant.
Pruning Tools & Supplies
Tool Care • Keep sharp & clean. • Keep handles and bolt nuts secure & tight. • These practices will increase safety.
Pruning Saw • Has a blade with coarse teeth. • Blade may or may not fold into the handle for safety & storage. • Cuts live & dead limbs.
Pole Pruner • Has a saw & pruning tool on a pole to remove branches that are up to 12 feet overhead.
Grass Shears • Have two blades designed to cut grass around edges of walks or flower beds.
Lopping Shears • Have long handles and will cut limbs from 1 to 1½” in diameter.
Hand or Pruning Shears • Have a single blade that cuts against another piece of metal or two blades that work like scissor to cut limbs up to ½” in diameter.
Hedge Shears • Have longer blades that cut young tender growth.
Chain Saw • Has a gasoline, battery, or electrical powered chain that cuts large limbs from 3” up to the blade length.
Power Pole Pruner • Has a power saw on the end of an extended handle.
Safety Tip • Use caution with cutting tools. “If they will cut plants, they can cut you”
Designed By: • Johnny M. Jessup; FFA Advisor • Hobbton High School
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