Pruning, Trimming & Hedging
Pruning & Hedging
Pruning & Trimming
A properly pruned shrub or tree will not only look great but will be better at fighting off diseases and pests, and will provide more flowers and fruit.
The trick is in knowing how to prune properly: the choice of branch to cut, where to make the cut and how the cut is made.
Some tips on pruning:
• Choose the right tool for the job – Shears and loppers are the most common tools you will need around the garden. Other useful tools include a saw and a ladder to help you reach those higher branches.
• When thinning a plant, remove whole stems at their origin. Thinning a plant reduces the bulk of a plant without changing its form.
• When heading back a plant, remove branches to a growing point—a leaf, a dormant bud or another branch. Make the cut no more than six millimetres from this point on a 40 to 60 degrees angle.
Timing is also important. Each plant has its optimum season for pruning. The best time to give them a trim or cut back is often just after flowering or fruiting or when the plant is dormant.
When to get help
A professional tree care expert (arborist) should always be called in the event of any storm damage, elevated chainsaw work, big tree rejuvenation, stabilising a weak or damaged tree or work near powerlines.
If you have any job that you are unsure about, always seek help from a professional.
Hedging
It may look easy but trimming a hedge so that it is square and level can be quite an art. Yet, with the right tools and a little practice you can have a hedge that looks great.
Trimming a hedge requires good eyesight, particularly if the hedge has been planted parallel to the contours of the landscape.
Use a motorised trimmer for larger projects and sharp hedging shears and/or scissors for smaller and finer work.
Start by making small cuts in different places to see if they line up horizontally. Using a stringline for larger distances is a quick and simple way to ensure you end up with a level hedge.
Step back from the hedge every now and then to see how it looks. This will help you achieve the right effect.
As you prune, try to taper the sides so that the bottom is wider than the top. This allows sunlight to reach the entire surface of the hedge.
It is good practice to clean your hand tools with warm soapy water after each job to reduce the risk of spreading disease and pathogens.
Pruning & Trimming
A properly pruned shrub or tree will not only look great but will be better at fighting off diseases and pests, and will provide more flowers and fruit.
The trick is in knowing how to prune properly: the choice of branch to cut, where to make the cut and how the cut is made.
Some tips on pruning:
• Choose the right tool for the job – Shears and loppers are the most common tools you will need around the garden. Other useful tools include a saw and a ladder to help you reach those higher branches.
• When thinning a plant, remove whole stems at their origin. Thinning a plant reduces the bulk of a plant without changing its form.
• When heading back a plant, remove branches to a growing point—a leaf, a dormant bud or another branch. Make the cut no more than six millimetres from this point on a 40 to 60 degrees angle.
Timing is also important. Each plant has its optimum season for pruning. The best time to give them a trim or cut back is often just after flowering or fruiting or when the plant is dormant.
When to get help
A professional tree care expert (arborist) should always be called in the event of any storm damage, elevated chainsaw work, big tree rejuvenation, stabilising a weak or damaged tree or work near powerlines.
If you have any job that you are unsure about, always seek help from a professional.
Hedging
It may look easy but trimming a hedge so that it is square and level can be quite an art. Yet, with the right tools and a little practice you can have a hedge that looks great.
Trimming a hedge requires good eyesight, particularly if the hedge has been planted parallel to the contours of the landscape.
Use a motorised trimmer for larger projects and sharp hedging shears and/or scissors for smaller and finer work.
Start by making small cuts in different places to see if they line up horizontally. Using a stringline for larger distances is a quick and simple way to ensure you end up with a level hedge.
Step back from the hedge every now and then to see how it looks. This will help you achieve the right effect.
As you prune, try to taper the sides so that the bottom is wider than the top. This allows sunlight to reach the entire surface of the hedge.
It is good practice to clean your hand tools with warm soapy water after each job to reduce the risk of spreading disease and pathogens.
Gardening is fun. If you don’t have the time but care for your garden, give us a try!
