KNOW WHAT YOU'RE PRUNING BEFORE YOU START CUTTING AWAY

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 7, 1993                   TAG: 9304070027
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-5   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: JOE HUNNINGS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
KNOW WHAT YOU'RE PRUNING BEFORE YOU START CUTTING AWAY
Pruning is essential maintenance practice. It is the selective removal of branches without changing the plant's natural appearance or habit of growth.
Pruning should be done to improve the health of the plant by cutting out dead, diseased, broken and overgrown branches that interfere with new growth.
\ DECIDUOUS SHRUBS: Prune to maintain natural form in late winter to early spring.
Heavy pruning is best done when the plant is dormant and temperatures are above freezing.
Wounds from pruning cuts made at this time heal readily and are less prone to winter injury.
Shrubs that flower on "new" wood (shoots that have grown during the current season) should be pruned in late winter through early spring before new growth begins.
Examples: Abelia, Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii), Chastetree (Vitex Agnus-castus), Clematis, excluding the Patens Group, Summer-sweet clethra, crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), Peegee hydrangea (H. paniculata `Grandiflora'), Indigo bush (Amorphia fruticosa), Passionflower (Passiflora sp), Rose-of-Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), Spiraea japonica, Spiraea x bumalda, Falsespirea (Sorbaria sp), Tamarix ramosissima, Viburnum, excluding leatherleaf viburnum, American wisteria (W. frutescens).
Shrubs grown for autumn foliage or colored stems in winter should be pruned very early each spring.
Examples: Cornus alba, Cornus stolonifera flaviramea, and sumac (Rhus sp).
\ EVERGREEN SHRUBS: Most evergreen shrubs are best pruned in early spring just before new growth begins.
When pruned toward the end of dormancy, evergreens will sprout new growth to hide pruning scars.
Arborvitae and juniper contain a dead zone where heavy shade causes inner needles to wither away.
All cutting should be done above this zone before growth starts in spring.
Yew contains numerous dormant buds in foliage areas.
Thin to laterals or tip prune in early spring.
\ DECIDUOUS TREES: Most mature deciduous trees require no pruning, however, removal of unwanted or damaged branches may be necessary at times and should be done with a minimum of large branches being cut.
Maples and other deciduous trees can be pruned from late winter to late spring.
Late-spring pruning will result in sap running from the cuts - messy, but normal.
\ VINES: The best time to prune most vines is during their dormant season before new growth begins.
However, early spring flowering shrubs should be pruned after they flower.
Vines that flower on growth made in the current year, such as hybrid clematis, can be pruned in early spring.
Vines grown for attractive fruits, such as pyracantha, should be pruned in late winter or very early spring before the new growth comes out.
Remember, severe dormant pruning will reduce the number of flowers and fruits produced that year.
\ FRUIT TREES: In general, prune in late winter to early spring just as the buds begin to swell.
Wounds on trees pruned at this time heal readily, and dormant pruning stimulates growth.
When apple and pear trees are dormant, remove dead and weak growth and crossing branches.
Prune young trees to develop a strong framework. Prune established trees lightly to achieve a good yield.
Prune cherry trees lightly in early spring.
\ SMALL FRUITS: Prune blueberries in late winter to remove low, drooping branches, dead wood and shoots four years of age or older.
Prune grapes in winter when vines or dormant.

Joe Hunnings is the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service agent for agriculture in Christiansburg. Have questions? Call Montgomery's extension office at 382-5790.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB