The purpose of pruning trees, shrubs and plants is to create the desired shape, maintain a certain size, remove dead or diseased portions and promote healthy new growth.
With fruit trees, pruning is also used to increase flowering and fruit production as well as to increase sunlight and air circulation through the canopy.
Most pruning tasks can be accomplished with simple hand tools such as secateurs and loppers, which are used to make precise, clean cuts while minimising plant damage.
Sharp tools are more efficient and result in cleaner cuts with less effort. This reduces damage to surrounding plant tissues, promoting faster healing.
In contrast, blunt tools can crush branches, tear bark and leave ragged wounds, potentially providing an entry point for disease pathogens.
Keeping tools clean prevents the transfer of diseases between plants during…
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Good Organic Gardening (Digital) - 1 Issue, 15.1