Why do garden trees need pruning and shaping?
Reasons for pruning and shaping garden trees
(1) To maintain the plant's natural form. Sometimes it is to promote growth, sometimes to inhibit it. Pruning old, weak and tangled branches can stimulate the growth of vigorous, strong and straight new branches, thereby achieving the goal of renewal and rejuvenation and strengthening the tree's vigor. Conversely, overly vigorous branches can also be pruned to weaken their growth so that the branches within the crown are evenly distributed.
(2) To create and cultivate an unnatural plant appearance. Controlling the direction of branches reflects the designer's requirements and meets ornamental needs.
(3) To improve ventilation and light penetration. Correctly pruning dead, damaged, diseased and insect-infested branches allows the crown to be ventilated and let in light, which can increase leaf photosynthesis and reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases.
(4) To cut off some branches that are detrimental to plant growth, especially suckers and water sprouts.
(5) In order to display the tree's attractive trunk, the lower branches of trees and large shrubs are pruned off. During each year's dormant period, strong pruning by heading back is used to promote vigorous sprouting of new branches, thereby maximizing the display of the beautiful trunks of some small shrubs.
(6) To regulate the relationship between vegetative growth and reproductive growth. For trees grown mainly for their flowers and fruit, pruning branches regulates the contradiction between the tree's vegetative growth and reproductive growth, allowing nutrients to be properly distributed, promoting sprouting, advancing flowering and fruiting, overcoming the alternate bearing phenomenon of fruit trees, and ensuring the ornamental effect.
(7) To coordinate conflicts and reduce harm. Pruning branches that obstruct traffic signals and passing vehicles makes people feel safer.
(8) For decorative purposes, cutting materials from plants for flower arrangements and holiday decorations.