The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Shrubs And Trees

As to the severity of pruning required in the transplanting of larger specimen shrubs and trees, dug with bare roots, expert practice varies. There is, however, general agreement that a proper balance must be struck between root-system and topgrowth. When roots are scant and the top big, then the top must be reduced. But when the root-system is ample, fibrous and in good condition, severe pruning of the top is not strictly necessary. Our own preference is rather for a minimum of pruning at the time of transplanting. In the case of autumn planting, we would rather wait to see what happens, and defer all heavy pruning till the spring if, indeed, it should prove desirable at that time. If the plant threatens to dry back, then we would prune hard. If not, we would do only what pruning seems in order from a formative or corrective point of view.

In the case of balled specimens the need of pruning is reduced to a minimum.

Generally, the extent of pruning necessary at the time of planting will depend in part upon the condition of the subject. Freshly and carefully dug material will require less pruning than will storage stock and carelessly dug things.

Insofar as pruning is necessary, it should be done in such manner as to retain the general form of the plant. In the case of young trees which one desires to grow up with a distinct single leader, that leader should not be headed back if it can be at all avoided.

Formative Pruning covers all those pruning operations that may be in order from time to time to start off young shrubs and trees in the way they should go.

Little if any of it is required by the majority of border shrubs. Most of diese shape themselves satisfactorily. More of it is in order in the case of specimen shrubs and trees, and particularly of young shade trees.

In the case of young shade trees, we repeat the injunction:

Do not head back the leader. Keep it going, and remove or reduce all growths that seem to offer competition with it. These are likely to form crotches eventually.

This matter is particularly important in the case of those several kinds of small trees that arc by nature betwixt and between the status of small trees and large shrubs. One thinks of the larger Shadblows (Amelanchier) and Hawthorns (Cratagus).

Many of the larger shrubs require some attention in the shaping of a proper system of basic branches, like the Crabapples (Malus), which, much like orchard apples, should be started off with an open crown.

More or less thinning out of excess branches may be required in the case of many Hawthorns, especially the Washington Thorn, and the European Mountain-Ash (Sorbus Aucuparia).