Preparing Your Yard for Winter

Fall is an excellent time of year to prune most woody ornamental plants. Avoid pruning spring flowering shrubs in the fall to avoid removing flower buds set earlier in the year. Pruning is done for several reasons: To remove dead or damaged plant branches. To reshape overgrown plants in a landscape. To rejuvenate old, multi-stemmed shrubs. To remove diseased branches. To reduce future problems. To improve the plant's overall appearance and health.

Pruning techniques are important to the quality of the work performed. Here are some tips:

• Never try to cut more wood than your saw or clippers are designed to cut.
• Use a small saw or loppers to remove medium sized or larger branches.
• Small stems and twigs should be clipped with hand pruners.
• Avoid use of shears unless you are maintaining a formal hedge.
• Never cut a branch flush with the main stem.
• Leave the stem collar intact to promote rapid healing of the stem cut.
• Never leave a stud which can provide an opening for wood decay. 

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