Prime Time for Pruning

The Right Cuts

• Remove dead or dying branches.
• Prune out diseased limbs right away. Be sure to cut well below the diseased areas, and don't prune when the plants are wet (water can spread disease). If you prefer to be extra cautious, rinse your tools with a solution of 10 percent bleach in water.
• Cut back branches that have grown over where you walk or mow so they don't break off.
• Where you see two branches crossing, prune off the smaller one.
• Thin branches judiciously to allow sunlight and air into the center of trees and shrubs.

Pruning Dos and Don'ts
DO cut at an angle that mirrors the branch collar—the furrow of bark where branch and trunk meet. Cut the branch next to the branch collar. If you did it right, a circle of healthy callus will swell around the spot.

DO cut large branches in three parts. First, cut off about one-third of the branch to reduce the weight. Holding up a heavy branch while you prune it off the trunk will break your back and your saw, and tear the trunk's bark. Next, undercut the remaining stub so the trunk bark won't rip when the stub falls free. Last, make the final cut from the top, beside (but not cutting into) the branch collar.

DON'T leave stubs behind—stubs right, inviting insects and disease to move in and attack healthy tissue.

DON'T scalp your trees. A tree with a flat-top looks ridiculous, and it will grow weak new sprouts in place of healthy branches. Cut to the tree's natural shape and let it grow up.

When to Call a Pro
Most pruning work is easy for home gardeners to do. But call a professional arborist about:

• Any cut you can't make from the ground with pole pruners.
• Any work—whether you can reach it or not—in a tree near power lines.
• Storm damage repair where heavy limbs are still attached or hung up in the crown of the tree.

The International Society of Arborists Online has information on tree-care for homeowners and a list of certified arborists searchable by zipcode.

National Arbor Day Foundation.—Reforestation and tree care concerns.

While you're thinking about trees, hoist yourself into the wild world of recreational tree climbing. You can even learn why cats climb trees, why they won't come down, and why cat rescues aren't for amateurs. Check out Tree Climber's International.