Garden Talk - Prune now for benefits later

Right now, we are in the heart of pruning season. Nearly all varieties of trees and shrubs will benefit from timely pruning, and many require it.

Fruit trees and berries need annual pruning for vigor and productivity, and young trees will develop more pleasing and sustainable shape if pruned effectively.

There are two categories of exceptions to the ?prune now? maxim. First, for oak and walnut trees, wait for summer in order to limit susceptibility to disease. Second, allow spring bloomers, such as lilacs and forsythia, to flower before pruning.

That still leaves a lot of pruning work to do. Get started by taking inventory of your tools. Ideally, you?ll want a pruning saw, loppers, and hand pruning shears - all clean and sharp. You will almost certainly need at least a small ladder, too.

Use good judgment about what you can safely manage. It is well worth the cost to hire a professional to work on large trees.

Now, take a good look at the work to be done. You?ll be able to see overall shape well this month, so look for overlapping branches that require attention. Signs of new growth should be apparent, so you can spot dead limbs or branches and remove them. Do the necessary research to guide your work. For example, you won?t want to prune heavily on an evergreen variety that has new growth only on its exterior.

To be certain that you will be pleased with the results of your work, step back often to take in the big picture. Never take drastic action such as topping a tree. If a tree is growing too tall, prune back to crotches in the branches, carefully maintaining the overall shape.

Nothing needs to be applied to pruning cuts. The combination of clean tools and timely cutting will allow trees and shrubs to heal just fine.

If you are unsure about pruning techniques, check with the Extension Service for relevant publications. Alternatively, go online to expert-hort.sws.iastate.edu or check out illustrated guides from your public library.