Extreme pruning causes dwarfing = Bonsai

Shoots pruned almost weekly
Roots pruned twice per year

3-D Pruning = Topiary

Mickey Mouse, etc.

Hedges

Pruning must be careful!

Dense Branching occurs where pruning is heaviest

Cube-->Table
with twiggy legs

Sphere-->Mushroom
with twiggy legs

Rather than perfect cubes and spheres
think pyramid and hemisphere!

Pruning (thinning) also increases:

• Air Movement
• Sun Exposure
• Production (more photosynthesis, less fungi)

Pruning for form in fruit trees

Espalier - 2D pruning to a wall or a fence

Pear production in Russia on cyclone fencing
Decorative forms:

Simple U	Multiple U

Belgian Fence = Lattice pruning form in 2D with GRAFTS at crossings.

Living Fences need little to NO maintenance!

Grape Vines

What Do I Remove When I Prune?

1. Anything not fitting form
2. Weak crotches (leave strong ones ~90 )
3. Vertical branches on horizontal limbs
4. Crossing branches
5. Diseased wood
6. Dead wood
7. Excess flowers or fruits (avoid competition = plums)

   ethylene agent mechanical shaking

Burn or Landfill all prunings!
Pick up and destroy all dropped fruits!
AVOID DISEASE AND PESTS

DO NOT REMOVE FRUITING SPURS!!

When do I prune?

• Fruit trees, Grapes, Fruit shrubs February each year
• Flowering trees, flowering shrubs After Flowering 1/yr
• Hedges, Topiary, Espalier, Bonsai As needed (weekly!)

• NEVER prune August-September (winterkill)