Every plant needs a topiary every now and then. This means that your jaw should also be given a good job at certain intervals. There are many reasons for cutting back branches. Each pruning purpose requires a different technique. The following guide provides you with comprehensive information in which situation you should trim your jaws and what you need to pay attention to.
A pruning is not the same as a pruning
Different types of pruning
A pine tree may need to be pruned for a number of reasons:
- to inhibit growth
- in case of disease of the pine
- to create or maintain a bonsai shape
inhibit growth
In the wild, pine trees can reach heights of over 50 meters. While growth per year initially increases relatively slowly, the coniferous tree gains height more and more rapidly with increasing age. If it gets too close to buildings, it is important to trim its branches. In addition, pruning serves to prevent property damage or even personal injury from falling branches during storms. To do this, thin out the crown by removing disturbing branches. The pruning can be radical. However, you should be aware that cutting back changes the growth habit. The jaw becomes more bulbous and round. Once you have made such a pruning, you must continue it annually.
pruning in case of illness
Does your jaw suddenly develop brown needles? A fungal infection could be to blame. Two types of such a pest are common in Europe:
- the pine shed
- and the die-off
In both cases, it is necessary to protect the pines from complete death by completely cutting back affected branches.
Pruning the pine for bonsai
Maybe you only have a balcony instead of a garden. Still, you don't have to give up holding a pine tree. In bonsai form, the conifer hardly takes up any space, even in the smallest of areas. Regular pruning then promotes branching and maintains the small growth habit.
You must pay attention to this
Point of time
It is best to trim your pine trees in winter. In this way you avoid that too much juice escapes from the interfaces. The pine can then recover better from the radical cut.
The tool
With the right equipment, cutting a pine is much easier. Due to the enormous growth height of an old pine tree, you need a high, stable ladder in order to reach the branches in the crown. Be sure to use sharp scissors. With blunt models, there is a risk that you will not cut the branches cleanly, but rather crush them. This leads to more serious injuries from which the jaw has a hard time recovering.