On Saturday, we went to a class on pruning given at the Cornell Plantations in Ithaca NY. Although we have been gardening (and pruning) for a very long time, it was good to get out, take a drive, and catch up on any new information and techniques. The class was led by Lee Dean, a Certified Master Arborist for the Plantations.
He discussed tools, techniques, and safety in an indoor session at the new Nevin Welcome Center with several handouts, interesting specimens, and chalkboard drawings and then followed up by giving the class some field experience in a garden just outside with a variety of woody plants – some small dogwood trees, young viburnums and other small shrubs.
A quick mention about the Nevin Welcome Center: This building is LEED Gold certified based on qualifications by the US Green Building Council and is quite impressive.
The first floor includes a bright and airy two-story atrium and lobby with a gift shop and small café. Interpretive exhibits about Cornell Plantations are also displayed; one this time included pretty watercolor tree and landscape paintings done by students of Camille Doucet in adult classes at Cornell Plantations. Upstairs includes room for classes, conferences, or other events. I was particularly entranced by the floor-to-ceiling chalkboard wall and the rolling chairs and tables! You can learn more about this fabulous building in its handout here.
Back to pruning. Pruning your trees and shrubs can beautify your landscape and improve the growth and health of your plants. It is not hard work and most of your gardens can be handled simply with hand pruners and a small folding saw. Although many landscapers swear by Felco pruners, my personal favorite pruners are by Bahco.
I first heard about these on another blog here where the merits of Felco, Corona, and Bahco pruners were compared. Since both the Bahco and Felco pruners are available at AM Leonard where I purchase a bunch of stuff for my gardening business (also available through Amazon), I decided to give them a try. I have been more than pleased with their ergonomic cutting head – my hands and wrist thank them every day! I also have a small folding pruning saw by Bahco which is great too.
So, here is the lowdown on pruning:
- Don’t ignore it – examine your plants annually. Plants will respond with regular pruning to keep the plant in bounds, keep its growth vigorous, and keep it looking beautiful.
- Pruning is not difficult. Educate yourself on how your plant grows and what it should look like afterward.
- Plants won’t die if pruned at the wrong time of year. Injury may occur, but they won’t die. Usually pruning is performed during the winter because this is when the plants are dormant, but many are best pruned right after blooming. Learn about your plants.
- Winter pruning – if you and your pruners can stand the weather, it is a fine time to prune.
- Do NOT top your trees. This only leads to weak aftergrowth and may also encourage more wood rot.
- Removing a tree or shrub is NOT a crime against nature. If they are not in the right place and have gotten too large or are suffering in that spot, move or remove. Don’t let them be mutilated beyond recognition by the utility companies, for example – hmm, a post for another day.
- Hedge trimmers are NOT proper pruning tools for shrubs except for pruning shaped hedges. Learn to use the hand pruners and pruning saw properly.
The details and mechanics of pruning are best left to another post. All in all, we had a good day pruning at the Plantations.
