Copyright All Rights Reserved. This manual contains material protected under International and United States Federal Copyright Laws and

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2 Copyright All Rights Reserved. This manual contains material protected under International and United States Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, scanning, photocopying, or otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright holder. The author and publisher of this manual and the accompanying materials have used their best efforts in preparing this material. Considering they have no idea how you ll actually implement this content, the author and publisher shall in no event be held liable for any loss or other damages. This information should not be considered a source of legal, accounting or other professional services.

3 Table of Contents Step 1: Know Why Pruning is Critical for Healthy Plants... 4 Step 2: How to Select the Right Pruning Tools... 8 Step 3: Learn the Best Time to Prune Your Plants Step 4: Simple Pruning Techniques for Indoor Plants Step 5: Basic Pruning Methods for Outdoor Plants Step 6: Essential Post-Pruning Plant Care Step 7: Avoid Common Pruning Mistakes Maintenance Instructions for Your Shears... 29

4 Step 1: Know Why Pruning is Critical for Healthy Plants Lots of people love to fill their yard with lovely ornamental plants. In the beginning, the landscaping looks amazing. It enhances the property s assets and hides some of the flaws. What frustrates many homeowners is that the effect never seems to last. After a few years, the outdoor plants start to look ragged, and some will start to die. Since most homeowners have been good about watering and fertilizing their ornamental bushes and trees, they cannot understand why the plants fail to thrive. More often than not, the problem has to do with the fact that the outdoor plants haven t been properly pruned. Most people assume that the only reason they need to prune the plants they ve used to landscape their property is to maintain the plant s shape. Horticulture experts know better. They have learned that good pruning is an important part of keeping all plants healthy. Pruning Encourages the Growth of Roots If a tree was started as a seed in your yard, it likely has a very healthy root system. However any trees that you purchased and incorporated into your landscaping project will be a different story. No matter how careful you are, the young tree will have experienced some root damage. Since some ornamental trees have been moved three or four times before making their way to your home, the damage could be significant. 4

5 Oddly, the best way to convince the newly transplanted tree to generate more roots will be to get out your pruning shears. Ideally, the amount you prune from the top of the tree should match the amount of root loss. Pruning Conserves Energy The larger an ornamental tree gets, the more energy it has to devote to its continued growth. This leaves it more susceptible to insect infestations and diseases. Regularly pruning trees and rose bushes makes it easier for the plants to maintain optimum health. If you have fruit trees in your yard, the amount of energy they conserve after you have pruned them back goes into the fruit they produce, resulting in a bountiful harvest. Pruning Prevents Disease from Spreading Plants are not all that different from people. If you get an infection in your hand, and it goes untreated, it can spread to the rest of your body. The same can happen to your yard plants. Every few months you want to carefully inspect each of the plants you have used to landscape your yard. If you see signs that one section of the tree or bush does not look healthy, you need to get out your pruning shears and remove that particular section. Do not worry about what the final results will look like; your first priority has to be removing the sick section before it can spread to the rest of the plant. Not only will pruning the section help save the life of that particular plant, but it also prevents the disease from spreading to your other outdoor plants. 5

6 Pruning Keeps Trees Strong When ornamental trees are left to their own devices, they can split into two, resulting in crotches and multiple branches. While this creates some interesting looks and can even make for some great tree climbing experiences, the splitting of the trunk and limbs weakens the tree, increasing the chances of the tree getting severely damaged during wind storms or heavy snowfall. Pruning Keeps Your Yard Safe Pruning is not just good for the health of your yard plants; it is also good for your health. Not only will the time outside be good for your mental health since you will find it relaxing, but by pruning the branches that have started to grow too long, you decrease the chances of them snapping and potentially falling on you or one of your pets. The more diligent you are about pruning, the safer your yard will be. Your Plants Will be Rejuvenated If a great deal of time has passed since the last time your plants were pruned, you might notice that they seem to be tired. The color of their leaves is not as deeply green as it was a few years ago, and the blooms are not as plentiful or big. Pruning your plant will give it a fresh lease on life. It will be completely rejuvenated. Some people opt to prune the plant to about half its current size when they want to rejuvenate it, while others will prune it even shorter, basically starting all over again from scratch. 6

7 The best time to prune your trees and other lawn plants is in the late fall, after the leaves have fallen. 7

8 Step 2: How to Select the Right Pruning Tools You already know that regularly pruning your yard and houseplants is an important part of keeping them looking great and is also critical for maintaining their health. In order to get the job done properly, you need to have the right tools. Hand Pruners Hand pruners allow you to do more delicate work than you can accomplish with a pair of large pruning shears. The pruners let you get in and nip small branches and to clean up the shape of the plant. Make sure they feel comfortable in your hand. You want a pair that is easy to handle. The best hand pruners will have coated steel blades and the handles will be padded. Hedge Shears No pruning kit can be considered complete until you have added a good quality pair of hedge shears. You are going to use these shears for the big jobs. They are perfect when you need to remove a significant amount of a plant, such as a rose bush that needs to be rejuvenated. They work best when used on plants that have thin to medium width branches. Landscapers love to use hedge shears when they have to sculpt evergreen bushes or are working with young fruit trees. 8

9 Loppers with Long Handles It can take some time to get used to using long handled loppers, but once you are comfortable with them, you are going to love them. They allow you to remove branches and vines that are overhead without you having to get out a ladder. They work especially well on fruit trees. Where to Find Pruning Tools When it comes to purchasing your set of pruning tools, you have several different places you can choose from Online Stores The online stores, like Amazon.com, often have the best prices, but you will not be able to handle the tools before making a purchase. Make sure you read the online reviews from other customers or, at the very least, make sure the product or store has a great guarantee (like Zavaland s Ironclad Lifetime Satisfaction Guarantee). When considering getting your tools from an online retailer, remember to calculate the cost of shipping into the purchase price. Local Garden Supply Stores Garden supply stores usually have a great selection of pruning tools, but they can also be a bit pricy. They are a great place to go if you want to learn how well a particular brand fits your hand, or you have questions about how a 9

10 tool works. However, in the end, most people use an online retailer for the purchase. Estate Sales If someone in your area has a beautiful yard and garden and announces that they are going to be hosting an estate sale, it is in your best interest to go. Chances are pretty good that you will find some beautiful pruning tools for a great price. Consider Your Pruning Tools an Investment While you do not have to spend a small fortune on your pruning tools, you also do not want to scrape by with the cheapest set of tools you can find. Remember that your tools preserve the health of your plants and help maintain your property s beauty. When you purchase your first set of pruning tools you need to think of them as a long term investment. Care for the Pruning Tools Properly As long as you are willing to take the time needed to care for the tools properly, they will last you for several decades. You might even be able to pass them onto your children someday. Make sure you never leave the tools outside, not even for one night. Leaving the tools lying around invites kids to play with them, which could result in serious injury. Another problem with leaving the tools outside is that exposure to the elements can cause them to rust. 10

11 If the shears do not open and close easily, you should not try forcing them to work properly, as that increases the chances of breaking the tool. What you need to do is oil the hinges and pins. After a minute or two, the tool should work just as easily as it did when you first bought it. Keep your tools in good condition. Most garden shops and local plant nurseries will be happy to make any repairs you need, or to sharpen blades that get dull. You can also get many of these repair tools online, at sites like Amazon.com. This type of work can add several years of life to each of your pruning tools. 11

12 Step 3: Learn the Best Time to Prune Your Plants Just before the cold weather sets in and everything is still growing, you are going to want to walk through your yard and take note of the condition of your plants. Assess which ones did well, which ones did not seem as vibrant as they used to be, and which ones seem to be really struggling. You also need to make note of any signs of insect infestation or disease that could be compromising the health of your plants. When you decide to prune your plants, the notes you take will help you create a plan of attack. When is the Best Time to Prune? The best time to prune has always been a matter of debate. Most people say that the ideal time to prune is late in the winter/early spring when the plants are not quite ready to come out of their dormant stage. While this is good advice, it can also be tricky. The weather the past few years has been funny, with springtime temperatures catching everyone by surprise and causing the plants to burst from their dormant phase several weeks sooner than anyone anticipated. Once they leave the dormant phase, they generally should not be pruned. If you are confident that you will be able to get your plants pruned before the sap starts to flow, then by all means, you should hold off until the late winter. But if you are worried, you should take note of the commercial fruit orchards and start your pruning in November. Your yard plants will still be in a dormant state and you ll be able to 12

13 relax and do a good job of pruning instead of trying to rush through the process. Also, if you have any intention of grafting any of your yard plants together, you will have to put off your pruning until the late winter or else you will have a difficult time getting the graft to take. One Summertime Exception Even though you should not plan on a complete pruning session during the spring and summer when your plants are producing sap, there are some exceptions. If you have had a storm and a branch has gotten damaged, it is in your best interest to get your long handled lopper out and remove it right way. You will want to trim it just behind the broken part. Cut in one smooth, sharp stroke. The cut will provide a bit of seal, decreasing the amount of sap the tree loses. More importantly, by removing the broken branch yourself, you do not have to worry about it breaking loose and striking a human or pet walking beneath the tree. Nor will you have to worry about it doing additional damage to your ornamental tree. What Should You Prune By this point, you should have a pretty good idea of what you want your yard to look like. Get out your pruning shears and give yourself plenty of time to carefully shape your trees, shrubs, and bushes. This will be a gradual process with you taking a step back to survey your work every few snips. 13

14 If you noticed any plants that showed signs of stress during the fall, you will want to remove the part that was struggling. Even though removing a major limb might not create the look you seek, it is an important step that will help keep your tree healthy. Most landscaping artists suggest setting up an afternoon where you focus on pruning the dead or sick parts from the plants before you start to shape the plants. Take a Class Pruning, especially if you are trying to create specific shapes, is an art. You should not expect to grab a pair of hedge trimmers and immediately create the look you seek. There is going to be a great deal of trial and error in the beginning, which is why you should probably use the bushes located in your backyard to practice. Consider taking a master gardener class where you will get great tips about how to properly care for the plants you have on your property. What to Do if You Notice a Problem If one of your yard plants has been impacted by insects or seems to have developed a disease, you do not want to ignore the situation. You want to get the problem diagnosed by a professional and then take the steps needed to keep the problem away from the rest of your yard s plants. The best people to consult in this situation are professional horticulturists or cooperative extension agents. 14

15 Step 4: Simple Pruning Techniques for Indoor Plants Houseplants are a great way to make the interior of your home just a little cozier, plus they help ensure that you have plenty of fresh air to breathe. Do not, however, fool yourself into thinking that as long as your houseplants get plenty of water and sunlight that they will remain healthy and happy. Indoor plants, just like the ones you use to landscape your yard, occasionally need to be pruned in order to stay healthy. Keep the Plant from Getting Too Big Let s face it: There is a limited amount of space in your home. The last thing anyone needs is a houseplant that grows and grows. By taking the time to regularly prune the plant, you don t have to worry about it taking over the room. Keeping the visible part of the plant trimmed back to a manageable size means that the roots will not outgrow the pot, and you do not have to transfer the plant to a bigger pot (a process that houseplants find very stressful). When to Prune Unlike outdoor plants, which have a dormant period, a large portion of houseplants stay awake and healthy all year long. This makes knowing the best time to prune your houseplants tricky. Horticulture experts recommend observing your houseplants and trying to identify the periods of time when they do not seem in an active growth 15

16 phase. For example, a couple of weeks after the plant has stopped blooming would be a great time to get out your hand pruners and trim it back a little bit. Keep Your Hand Pruners Sharp and Clean Plants are made up of living tissue, and if bacteria get into a cut in the tissue, the plant could develop a lifethreatening illness. While pruning, remember that fungus can be just as deadly to houseplants as bacteria, so be on the lookout. One of the best ways to make sure you do not accidently compromise the health of your houseplants after they have been pruned is by paying careful attention to your hand pruners. Keep the blades sharp, so that they seal up the cut, decreasing the amount of time it takes the houseplant to heal. Whenever you have been working with a plant that does not seem completely healthy, you need to sanitize your hand pruners in order to avoid deadly crosscontamination. Certain Pruning Techniques Encourage Growth If you want your houseplants to have a specific look, you need to adjust your pruning style so that the plant wants to grow. The simplest way to do this is by picking a few stems that have dominant buds on them. After they have been snipped, the stems will grow rapidly. Many horticulture experts suggest snipping every other latent stem so the entire plant grows. Once the plant has expanded, you can go back and start to shape it. 16

17 Pruning Vines Houseplant vines, like ivy, look stunning, but they can quickly get out of control. With a little careful pruning, you will be able to control the ivy s growth and also train it to grow in certain ways. It is in your best interest to remove any side shoots the vine ends up developing and convince the plant to focus all its energy on the main vine. You can use popsicle sticks and a little bit of floss tied to the vine to encourage it to grow up the support chain. Watch for Dead Leaves Each time you water your houseplants, give them a careful inspection. Even though it might be a few months before you have to prune them, if you spot any dead leaves or buds that never bloomed, you should get a pair of hand pruners and remove them from the plant. Do not pull the leaves off, as pulling causes the plant to hemorrhage sap. Don t Overdo Things It s easy to get carried away while pruning houseplants. The rule of thumb is that unless it s a plant that basically likes to start out from scratch each year, you shouldn t prune more than 25% of the plant. Over-pruning could kill your houseplant or cause it to grow back in a deformed manner 17

18 Check to Make Sure the House Plant Should Get Pruned Not all houseplants can handle being pruned, especially on a regular basis. It is important to know the needs of your particular plants, and thanks to Google, this is easier than ever. For instance, if you grow orchids, you should only remove the dead flowers from the spikes. If you have added a Norfolk pine or any miniature palm trees to your home, avoid pruning them. The pruning could kill the plant. 18

19 Step 5: Basic Pruning Methods for Outdoor Plants Having a good looking, beautifully landscaped yard will take a great deal of commitment on your part. In addition to mowing the lawn, pulling weeds out of the flowerbeds, and raking leaves, you also have to take responsibility for pruning your outdoor plants. If you are not thrilled about the idea of getting out the hedge clippers at least once a year and reshaping all of your bushes, hedges, and ornamental trees, that is okay! You can choose to landscape your property with trees and bushes that do not need to be pruned. However, know your options will be limited. The good news is that there are some basic methods for pruning outdoor plants that make it easy to keep your lawn looking great and stocked with healthy plants. Pruning does not need to be nearly as complicated as most think it is. Get Your Equipment Ready for the Task Pruning your outdoor plants will be an impossible task if your pruning tools are dull. Before you start to prune your plants, oil your shears and loppers so they open and close smoothly. You may also take your pruning tools to a garden supply store and make arrangements for them to sharpen the blades (assuming you do not just want to replace the blades, which is also a viable option). 19

20 Study Your Plants The first step to pruning any outdoor plant will always be removing the dead branches and twigs. Not only does the dead matter look unattractive, but during storms, if the dead matter snaps off in the wind, it could damage the rest of the tree or hedge. Once the dead matter has been removed, you need to take a step back and really look at the plants. You need to determine which branches are part of the central unit and which are offshoots. You want to stay away from the central branches as much as you possibly can and focus on only trimming the offshoots. Take Your Time and Study Your Work Give yourself plenty of time to complete the project. It is okay if it takes several days to get one bush trimmed. Remember, every time you prune a bit of a bush or tree, you should take a step back and really study the results. Make sure that the shape being formed is exactly what you want, and that you have not inadvertently created something that is not visually pleasing. If you do make a mistake and accidentally take too much, don t sweat it. Sure, you may have to live with an oddly-shaped tree for a little while, but eventually it will grow enough that you can correct the mistake. Plus, it is quite possible that, as time passes, you will learn to love your new shape. Don t Get too Aggressive with your Trimming 20

21 As you start pruning your plant, make sure you exercise caution. As a rule of thumb, you should generally not take more than 30% of the plant each time you prune. It should be enough that you can control the growth, but not so much that the plant cannot recover. If you take too much off during one pruning session, it can overwhelm your plant and ultimately cause it to die. As long as you prune carefully and make small cuts, you should be fine. Start at the Sides and Work Your Way Up A common mistake many people make is starting at the very top of the plants. More often than not, this results in a strangely shaped plant. The best way to prune is by tackling the sides and working your way upward. By doing this, you can gradually taper the top, creating a pleasing looking tree or shrub. Crawl Under the Plant if Possible When you crawl under the bush or shrub you are pruning, it is likely that you will identify many little shoots coming out of the base. These might look harmless, but if you ignore them, you will quickly learn that they grow aggressively. It is a great deal easier to take your hand pruners and snip these shoots while they are still small and easy to reach, and before they have an entire season to grow. Remember, the only time you should get out your pruning tools after the sap has started to flow is if a part of the tree or bush has gotten damaged or infected and needs 21

22 to be removed. Regular, maintenance-style pruning should only be done during a plant s dormant period. 22

23 Step 6: Essential Post-Pruning Plant Care As you know by now, pruning is an essential part of caring for your plants. The good news is that most plants handle pruning well and do not need a great deal of special post-pruning care, especially if you did not take more than 30% of the plant when you trimmed it. However, it is still in your plant s interest for you to pay attention and be on the lookout for signs of stress. What to Do If a House Plant Exhibits Post-Pruning Trauma Traditionally, houseplants have a harder time recovering from pruning sessions than your outdoor plants do. It is likely that the reason they struggle has to do with the fact that they do not go into a dormant phase and have to be pruned while their sap still flows. Give your houseplants a great deal of TLC after you have pruned them, as this encourages fast healing. In addition to placing the plant in an area where it gets direct sunlight and keeping the soil properly aerated and watered, you need to make sure the plant is kept warm. This will also be a good time to fertilize your plant. Within a few weeks, your houseplant should be good as new. One thing you should not do during this time is change the pot you have your plant in. Plants can only handle so much stress at once. Wait at least a month before you try to do any transplanting. 23

24 Post-Pruning Care for Outdoor Plants The good thing about outdoor plants is that they are tough. Even plants that people typically think of as delicate, like roses, can actually withstand a great deal. They can be broken by falling trees and even ripped apart by the wind, but will often will regenerate and carry on. Pruning usually does not hurt them. Even though it is likely your outdoor plants are tough, that does not mean you should skip indulging them in a little post-pruning care. The best thing you can do for your outdoor plants is make sure they have the proper food to start growing again once the weather gets warm. On the first few warm days of spring, take the time to thoroughly fertilize all of your outdoor plants. The added boost of nutrition will be enough to get them over the lingering trauma of being pruned. Dealing with Bleeding The biggest risk associated with pruning has always been bleeding. This is a condition that can impact the health of both indoor and outdoor plants. Just like when you cut the tip of your finger and bleed, if a plant has an unclosed wound, it also bleeds. The only difference is that the plant oozes sap instead of actual blood. A plant that is bleeding experiences the same potential health problems you do from your sliced finger. Not only are you losing energy that will eventually have to be replaced, but the wound is the perfect place for bacteria to get into the plant and compromise its overall health. The oozing sap can also attract all sorts of insects that you 24

25 would rather not have on your property. As the owner of the plant, you need to take steps to get the bleeding stopped. For generations, horticulturists treated bleeding plants with a binding process. The results were mixed. Sometimes it worked, and other times they put the plant under so much stress that it was unable to survive. Today, most horticulturists try to let the plants heal themselves. They have found that exposure to the open-air helps clot the sap, which forms a natural bandage. If the bleeding continues, pruning the site again and using a different angle or sharper pair of pruning shears can sometimes close the wound and stop the oozing sap. Make note of any plants that had bleeding issues after you pruned them. If the problem occurs after each pruning, you may need to forgo pruning them and simply let them grow wild and unchecked, or you will have to replace them altogether. If you are worried about post-pruning plant care, you should make sure you avoid using plants that are susceptible to pruning stress in your landscaping. Yard plants that tend to be especially susceptible to bleeding include birch trees, ornamental vines, and walnut trees. When pruning any of these, you should be extra careful and really watch the pruning sites once the sap starts to flow in the springtime. 25

26 Step 7: Avoid Common Pruning Mistakes When you first start taking care of the plants, you should expect to make some mistakes. It is inevitable. Pruning is an art, and it takes time to learn how to do it properly. Do not feel bad if you notice your plants are not quite the shape you wanted or when you accidently prune too much off the bush. Everyone does these things; it is part of the learning process. The good news is that there are some mistakes that you can avoid altogether if you know about them first. Don t Be Afraid of Pruning Some people never prune their lawn plants because they are afraid of making a mistake. Do not let this fear get the better of you. Grab your pruning tools and start snipping at your hedges! Once you start, you will find yourself relaxing and beginning to enjoy yourself. Don t Focus Exclusively on the Top of the Tree/Bushes Have you ever driven past a house where every single shrub and tree was short and incredibly fat? This effect is created because the homeowner only pruned the very top of everything, and hoped that it would be enough to keep the growth in check. It is not. Trees and bushes do not only grow upwards, they also grow out, especially when they are in the middle of a nice open yard. Instead of trimming off the top of your trees and 26

27 decorative shrubs, you need to start near the bottom and work your way around the sides. The top should be the last thing you prune. Don t Start in Your Front Yard It is one thing for you to know you may make mistakes the first time you try to prune your plants, but that does not mean your neighbors and every passerby need to know about them. When it comes to pruning, start in the backyard where you have a little more privacy and won t have to worry about the fact that you took a little too much of the crabapple tree or that the shrubs seem to list to one side. By the time you re done pruning in the backyard, you will have steadier hands and a more practiced eye. Then you are ready to take on the trees, hedges, and rose bushes planted in the front yard. Only Focusing on the Tips of the Branches Fear of making a mistake or taking too much off the plant can drive you to only removing an inch or two from the end of each branch. By just taking the tips, you are actually encouraging the plant to accelerate its growth. If you remove just an inch or two of branch, the plant usually responds by growing more than you removed. Remember, as long as you do not take more than 30% of the plant s total mass, you are free to get in and really cut off a significant portion of the branch. Even if you make a mistake, usually the plant will grow out enough that you can correct it. 27

28 Deal with Offshoots Right Away When you look at the base of your ornamental trees, you might be surprised to see some small leafy branches growing from the trunk. Most people think these will be harmless and ignore them. Don t. Remember, the offshoots grow fast and pruning them back the next year will be more difficult. It is best to remove them from the trees while you are pruning the branches. Don t Cut Off the Long Conifer Branches and Consider the Tree Pruned Unlike hardwood trees, which will sometimes regenerate their branches, once a conifer branch has been trimmed, it does not regrow. The entire branch dies. When you need to remove one of the long branches from a conifer because the tree has gotten too large, you need to make sure you prune the limb right next to the tree s trunk. Don t Be Afraid to Ask for Help There are lots of ways that you can learn how to properly prune all of the plants in your yard and house. You just have to know where to look. The Internet and YouTube have all types of videos and advice about how different types of plants should be pruned. When you speak to your horticulture suppliers, they can provide you with information about the best pruning tools and strategies for your situation. Even your next door neighbor might have some advice and tips you find helpful. Get in there and get started! 28

29 Maintenance Instructions for Your Shears Maintaining your pruning shears is easy. As long as you give them the proper care, they ll be around for a long time. Remember, your shears are for flowers, bushes and small branches (the shears are rated to 20mm). Cutting stones or other hard objects will damage your shears and risk injury to you. Also, the steel blades have excellent anti-rush properties, but we still recommend that you keep your shears away from fire, water and other corrosive substances. You may have noticed your shears arrived with a light coating of oil on them. This is to help keep them in optimal condition. After each use of your shears, we recommend that you clean them and then wipe them with a light coating of light-duty household oil. You should also apply a tiny bit of the oil to the moving parts of your shears as needed. One more thing: As a family-owned USA-based business, Zavaland is here to make sure you are 100% happy & delighted with your pruning shears. Please reach out to us online if you have any concerns or questions! 29