Tips for Pruning

Winter is the best time to prune the trees, if necessary, since being at rest will lose less sap. It is a simple operation, but it is necessary to know where and how to cut. If in doubt, it’s better to consult before submitting exemplary operation irreversible consequences. Selectively removing some branches of the tree's growth can give more force to the structure. Pruning also serves to prevent too dense foliage that prevents light from reaching uniformly to all parts causing uneven development of the specimen. It also helps to stimulate flowering and fruiting.

The best time to prune trees is winter, when they are at rest. It is essential make cuts in the right place and is as clean as possible. Tears and use dirty or rusty tools can impede healing and promote the development of diseases.

What kind of gardening tools should be chosen?

• The hand shears or engraft grafting tool, handsaws more manageable than are indicated for smaller branches. They consist of a cutting blade shaped curve and another that serves as a support. Scissors one hand is used to prune branches of about 20 millimeters in diameter, and two hands to cut stems of 30 mm onwards. The long handles two-handed pruning shears save a lot of effort.

• Saws and portable hand chain saw are necessary for pruning thick branches. There are many kinds depending on their size, type of tooth, the thickness of the body (rigid or flexible) and shape (curved, straight or folding) sheet. It is essential that the teeth are perfectly sharp.

• The gardener knives or blades are used to finish certain cuts of thick branches that are not clean with other tools. Its curved, sharp blade favors a net and precise cut.