Summer pruning pointers

Good Neighbor Tips. A blog by Erin Doan State Farm Insurance Agency.

Winter is typically the best time for vigorous pruning because trees are dormant. But minor upkeep on a nice summer day can keep your landscaping in top shape. Follow these tips:

Use Proper Tools

• Know which is which: a hand pruner is for stems and small branches, a lopper is for thicker branches and a pruning saw cuts through extra-large branches.
• Always wear work gloves to minimize cuts and scratches. Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from sawdust and debris.
• Clean tools after trimming each tree to prevent the spread of disease. Disinfect with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water, then wash in warm, soapy water and rinse.

Trim with Purpose

• Snip stray branches on a tree that’s finished flowering to encourage more blooms next season.
• Thin out branches to help trees get sufficient light and air, but avoid trimming more than 25 percent of a tree’s green leaves.
• Remove dead branches to keep them from breaking off and damaging your home.
• Trim ornamental trees to help them retain their shape.
• Remove new shoots growing out of the trunk or branches. They can zap the tree’s nutrients.

Make the Right Cuts

• For large branches: Cut a wedge underneath the limb about 6 inches from the point where the branch meets the trunk (the branch collar). A few more inches out, cut vertically from the top of the limb through the branch, then cut the stub parallel to the collar.
• Smaller branches and stems: With pruning shears, cut at a slight angle just past a healthy bud or leaf.