potature

Potatura, or pruning, is the horticultural practice of removing plant parts to influence growth, form, health, and yield. It applies to trees, shrubs, vines, and perennials. The main goals are to shape plants, promote flowering or fruiting, remove dead or diseased wood, and control size and vigor.

Timing and types: Formative pruning shapes young plants to establish a strong framework. Maintenance pruning keeps growth in check and health. Rejuvenation pruning addresses overgrown or poorly structured plants. Timing depends on species: many trees are pruned in winter when dormant; flowering plants are pruned after bloom if they set on last year’s wood; fruit trees often in late winter.

Techniques: Thinning cuts remove branches back to a main limb to reduce density; heading cuts shorten shoots to a bud or side shoot to encourage new growth. Hedge trimming is a controlled pruning used to produce dense, uniform borders. Also remove dead, diseased, or damaged wood, and shoots that sap energy.

Practices and cautions: Use sharp, clean tools; make cuts at a slight angle just above a bud or lateral branch; avoid removing too much at once; avoid wound paints in most cases; sanitize tools between plants to reduce disease risk; prune with knowledge of the plant's growth habit to avoid over-pruning.