You can only enjoy flowers and fruit for many decades if you regularly cut back trees and shrubs. Plants that bloom in summer or autumn should therefore be professionally cut back in February. We have great tips on how to do it right.

Trees and shrubs should be cut on frost-free days

Why is February cut?

In our climate zone, winter has proven to be a suitable time for this care measure. It makes pruning planning much easier when trees and shrubs have no leaves and the skeleton of the branches can be seen. The winter pruning results in vigorous sprouting in spring and the tree then usually grows back in a particularly healthy manner.

In addition, the Federal Nature Conservation Act stipulates that trees and hedges may not be trimmed between March 1st and September 30th for bird protection reasons.

Can all trees be cut in winter?

Most trees can be pruned on frost-free winter days. However, this does not apply to plants that sprout early. It is best to cut these in the fall when the tree or shrub has shed all its leaves.

The right cutting tool

In order for the tree pruning to go smoothly, you need these tools:

  • pruning shears
  • Folding saw and/or hacksaw
  • secateurs
  • grafting knife

Since the tools come into contact with an open injury on the plant, you should check them carefully before you start:

  • Thoroughly clean and disinfect the blades.
  • Only use tools with sharp blades.
  • With a very sharp knife, you can smooth frayed or torn twigs and keep the wound area smaller.

What types of cuts are there?

How the tree is pruned depends on what you want to achieve with the pruning and how old the crop is. The following types of cuts are used:

  • Plant pruning: It promotes growth and crown formation. The tree is reset to the main shoot and three to four side shoots.
  • Yield cut: The crown of fruit trees is thinned out. This promotes fruit formation. Excessive green shoots, which would shade the fruit and cost the plant unnecessary strength, are cut out.
  • Shape pruning: Here the tree is brought into shape. For example, you can reduce the diameter of the crown so that the plant casts less shadow or reduce shrubs so that paths can be walked on again.
  • Relief cut: It serves to maintain health. This also eliminates the risk of branches breaking off in a storm.

tips

Under no circumstances should you cut when the temperature is below minus five degrees or when it is very wet. In these weather conditions, the wood can break and the cuts heal poorly.

Category:

Trees