Last post, I discussed two goals of aesthetic pruning that I consider when pruning. Those being to make the tree smaller and also appear older. The first goal is probably not that surprising. Pruning is often used to control the size of plants. The other goal of making a tree appear to be older than it is, is probably a little more novel to most people.
We want to prune our trees and large shrubs to be smaller so we can fit more plants in our garden. This allows you to have more variety of trees that provide a variety of benefits. We want to prune our trees to look older so they impart a feeling of having a been there a long time which helps us feel calm and relax us.
Characteristics of old trees
If we reconsider some common characteristics of old trees that I mentioned before, they were:
- Wide spreading as opposed to growing mostly upwards
- Smaller annual growth of branches
- Zigzag branches instead of long straight shoots (as result of smaller growth)
- Open spaces where branches have been shaded out
- Thicker branches towards the center of the tree
Aesthetic pruning cuts to create one of these characteristics
Today, lets talk about how to achieve that first characteristic of a general old tree that of being Wide spreading as opposed to growing mostly upwards.
We can help to achieve this look by pruning out branches that are growing in directions other than “spreading out” such as:
- Branches growing up into other branches from below
- Branches growing backward toward the trunk
- Branches growing straight down
Copyright 2013 Jim Anderson
After we clean up that tree and prune out those “defective” types of branches, our tree looks like this:
How would the pruned and the non pruned trees look after another year of growth?
Of course, you could repeat the process and prune the tree again next year, removing these same types of branches. Then your tree might look more like this:
This simple process of removing these less than ideal branches can help you guide your tree or shrub into a more aesthetically pleasing shape. Do this to a lot of the plants in your garden and you can make it become a true garden sanctuary.
Laurrie says
Great diagrams, and easy to follow. I am pruning a viburnum prunifolium from a multi stem into a single trunk, and the criss-crossing, stiff, twiggy branches all look like the ones you show that should be taken off! The whole thing looks branchy and bunchy and headed the wrong way. But I’m making great progress each year, and it really does give it an open, spreading, mature look.
Thanks for a good tutorial that I’ll refer back to.
Sue says
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the pruning advice. We have an evergreen tree whose top half died off during last summer’s drought. There are tons of new growth on the lower half of the tree, but the top half was completely dry and brittle. We hated to kill a living thing, so we cut off the top dead portion and pruned back the lower branches so they’re not as long. Do you have any pruning tips to make our tree look like a tree again a few years down the road?
Sue
Jim says
Hi Sue,
At some point near the top of tree there will be new branches that will grow. Let them all grow this year. Next year you will want to pick one that is growing strongly and tie it in a vertical position using a dead portion of the trunk if it is available. If not, then a small pole can be attached to the trunk extending past it. The shoot can be tied to this pole in a vertical position for a few years till it thickens and stays upright. This will become your new leader.
Most evergreens, such as pines, spruces, or firs really want to grow a upright leader and when they lose them they will often send replacements. If several branches start growing straight up at the top of the tree, you will want to select the one that is closest to the center and looks to be growing strongly and remove the other ones.
This sounds like it could be a future post.
Betty says
“this sounds like it could be a future post”
I agree! I was so happy to see the question (and answer) about the evergreen that needed to be toppoed off…we have a huge evergreen that has the same issue and I was worried about how it would eventually look if trimmed back…Also maybe you could speak to the possible causes of this?
Thank you and really enjoy this blog!
Betty
Deb Kent says
If pruning multi-stem trees, can we follow this same advice? Your directions and illustrations are clear and helpful! I am so happy I stumbled onto your website.
Jim says
Yep. I am glad you found it helpful.
Royce Rhoads says
Jim,
I am a Master Gardener in Merced, CA and have taken Aesthetic Pruning classes from Merritt College in Oakland, CA. Recently I have come across web site and found 2 illustrations I would like to use in my Master Gardener presentations on pruning. They both involved pruning out the branches that cross over other branches and ones that grow up and ones that grow down.
I am asking you permission to use these illustrations and keeping you copyright attached for your credit.
Please let me know if I can use these.
Thank you,
Royce Rhoads