To prune or not to prune? This is a question that faces
gardeners often. Most feel they ought to, but are not sure why or
how. Pruning is accepted practice for the orchard, fairly
frequently carried out in the rose garden, but rather haphazard
elsewhere. Most often it is only performed when a shrub or tree
begins to encroach on its neighbor, a path, or a building.
Pruning is often looked upon as the answer to make a barren tree
fruitful. Carried out correctly, it will -- eventually. However,
years of neglect cannot be rectified in one season. The unknowing
pruner who cuts because he or she thinks that it ought to be done
but does not know how often ends up with no flowers or fruit at
all, due to excessive pruning or carrying out the operation at the
wrong time of the year.
This chapter explains the reasons for pruning, the proper
techniques and tools to use, and when various types of plants
should be pruned.