If you have assigned a specific function to trees and shrubs, pruning directs growth into the desired shape. This guide explains the importance of the type of pruning in the home garden for fruit and ornamental trees. Here you can find out which plant species require expert pruning and which trees and shrubs can safely do without it.

The structure or shrub is given the desired shape with the pruning

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  1. Construction pattern - definition with explanations
  2. Various forms of education are available - an overview
  3. Not all shrubs require trimming

    4. Construction pattern - definition with explanations

    Pruning on young shrubs for the first 2 to 3 years and trees up to 10 to 15 years of age. The aim of shrubs is growth in the desired form as a specimen or hedge. The aim of trees is to develop load-bearing branch categories into an optimal crown structure with a balanced ratio of trunk elongation, main branches and lateral branches.

    In the pruning of fruit trees and berry bushes, the pruning is much more important than in ornamental bushes. Without a pruning, a young fruit tree grows steadily in height, spreading its crown in all directions and neglecting the formation of flower buds from which the desired fruit develops. By training fruit trees in the first few years with targeted pruning measures, you promote high-yield growth. For this reason, the type of cut is also referred to as an educational cut.

    Various forms of education are available - an overview

    For deciduous and coniferous trees, the focus is always on building up pruning when they form an opaque hedge or are presented as a solitary standard. There is a wide range of training methods to choose from for the training of fruit trees, which can only be achieved through expert pruning. The following overview presents popular options for building trees in the home garden:

    fruit trees berry bushes Ornamental shrubs, deciduous trees and conifers
    round crown solitary standard 80-90 cm high solitary standard
    hollow crown solitary foot trunk, 40-60 cm high solitary shrub with several stalks
    spindle spindle Hedge in trapezoidal shape
    bush trellis
    trellis Trellis on facade or pergola
    pillar shrub on stick

    Opaque deciduous and coniferous shrubs offer the perfect starting point for the subsequent topiary as a sphere, pyramid, figure or ornamental sculpture.

    Not all shrubs require trimming

    In contrast to fruit trees, numerous ornamental shrubs can do without a growth cut. The following overview lists popular solitary shrubs that thrive naturally:

    Shrubs without pruning botanical name growth height growth width
    Real pear pear Amelanchier ovalis 250 to 300 cm 150 to 200 cm
    flower dogwood Cornus florida, Cornus kousa 400 to 800 cm 300 to 500 cm
    cornel Cornus mas 600 to 800 cm 400 to 600 cm
    hawthorn Crataegus 500 to 800 cm 300 to 500 cm
    smoke bush Cotinus coggygria 200 to 400 cm 200 to 300 cm
    broom genista 30 to 100 cm 20 to 50 cm
    panicle hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata 200 to 300 cm 150 to 250 cm
    magnolia Magnolia ssp 300 to 600 cm 300 to 400 cm
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    The exemplary build-up cut only leads to lasting success if it leads to a regular thinning cut. The best form of training is thrown off balance within a short period of time when deadwood and unfavorably growing branches gain the upper hand.

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