The initial pruning is usually the major pruning time but it is only the
beginning. Pinching and clipping are done annually to many of the
plants. Some require pinching several times during the year. The
pinching is done on new growth every spring and during the summer if new
growth continues to sprout. The importance of the pinching and clipping
can not be over-stressed because this is what causes the tree to develop
a desirable twiggy look. On leafy trees, the tips of the buds on new
growth are pinched back after four or five leaves have developed. This
forces the plant to develop side branches or suckers which insure a
twiggy pattern in limb development. A small pair of clippers can be used
for clipping leafy trees but with conifers, the clipping should be done
with your thumbnail and index finger. This is important as clippers
cause browning of the ends and will kill back needles that you intended
to leave. The pinching is done after the new growth is formed and is
becoming stable, but before it gets woody. On some of the conifers, such
as junipers, the pinching should take place on the very tips of new
growth. On pines however, the little "candles" that form as new growth
are pinched back, leaving only four or five developing needles. This
procedure should be followed every year for the life of the tree or the
tree will revert back to developing larger leaves and grow out of
proportion. |
