The Art of Pruning

by Pacific Vista Landscape

It’s winter, so that means it’s time to start pruning! Pruning, the cutting away of branches and stems that are dead or overgrown, is essential when it comes to a tree or shrub’s growth, ability to produce flowers and/or fruit, and its resistance to pests or diseases. With the unnecessary branches and stems gone, there is more energy available to the rest of the plant. This extra energy is used to promote growth and the production of fruit and/or flowers.

Winter is the ideal time to prune most deciduous trees or shrubs because this is when they are dormant and don’t have many leaves that would interfere with pruning. Be aware, not ALL deciduous trees can be pruned in the winter! Avoid pruning maples, birches, dogwoods, walnuts, and elms during the winter because they will begin to ooze sap. This is not only messy, but also dangerous for the tree. Evergreen trees or shrubs shouldn’t be pruned during the winter either because they can develop tip burn in cold temperatures. A few examples of deciduous trees or shrubs you SHOULD prune in winter are roses, hydrangeas, spruce, plum, barberry, juniper, mallow, and sumacs. 

To begin pruning, locate any dead, diseased, or overgrown branches that need to be removed. When cutting a branch from a tree, it’s important to cut along the branch collar. The branch collar on a tree is the scrunched up bark where the branch and trunk come together. When cut here, the tree will naturally form a callus. When removing an unwanted branch that is part of larger branch, avoid leaving behind a stump because this can harm the tree.

Pruning also involves thinning the canopy, which means some branches or stems are removed throughout the tree or shrub to increase airflow and enhance the appearance. When thinning the canopy, it’s important to start from the center and work your way out to the exterior. Make sure to pay constant attention to the appearance of the tree or shrub while you are pruning. It’s suggested to cut the tree or shrub with its natural shape in mind and to avoid giving trees a flat top (also known as scalping). Be careful not to take too much of the plant away while pruning, or the plant won’t survive! 
Pruning is essential in maintaining and caring for a deciduous tree or shrub. A tree or shrub’s ability to grow, bloom, and bear fruit is enhanced when pruned properly in winter.

Safety first! If the tree you want to prune is too large or near power lines, then a professional arborist should be contacted. At Pacific Vista Landscape Services, we are pruning experts! Give us a call and we can help with all your tree trimming and landscaping needs!

The Science Behind Autumn Leaves Changing Color Explained!

Autumn is known for transforming deciduous trees into magnificent displays of red, yellow, and orange leaves. Unlike evergreens which can endure cold climates because of their foliage’s thick wax coating and the freeze resistant substance within allowing them to hold onto their leaves, deciduous trees have their own way of adjusting to changes in climate.  The leaves of a deciduous tree changes color and eventually falls off, but there is more happening than a change in appearance.  To understand the science behind the change in color of autumn trees, it is important to take a look inside the leaves of a deciduous tree.

The colors of red, yellow, and orange in the leaves of deciduous trees are the result of organic pigments known as carotenoids and anthocyanins.  Carotenoids, a pigment present in the chloroplasts within the cells of leaves, results in the yellow, orange, and even brown shades.  Anthocyanins are produced through exposure to bright light and excess plant sugars in the leaves and they are responsible for the various tones of red in a leaf. During the spring and summer, chlorophyll, which is found in every plant, masks these other pigments with its green color.  Chlorophyll is an important part of photosynthesis, a chemical reaction in the plant that converts energy from sunlight into chemical energy and is essential for plant life.

In autumn, when the nights tend to become longer and colder, deciduous trees senses this change and begin to prepare for the upcoming winter by slowing down and eventually stopping the production of chlorophyll in it's leaves. The absence of chlorophyll exposes the carotenoids and anthocyanins, making the autumn colors of the other pigments visible!  When the chlorophyll is all gone, the tree is able to rid itself of its leaves. This is important because otherwise the leaves would freeze and the tree would not survive.

The changing colors and dropping of the deciduous tree's leaves is key to it making it through the winter.  Without chlorophyll to hide the other pigments, the traditional autumn colors of red, yellow, and orange can be easily seen.  This change in color is not only a beautiful sight, but also a process that has more to it than meets the eye!