Once you recognize the different growth habits, your trained eye will know what to prune.

One growth habit is called Sentinels. Sentinels grow straight and rigid, like a soldier at attention. Known also as suckers and water sprouts, this type of growth is found on either the root system (suckers) of plants and/or the trunk and branches (water sprouts). Unlike the soldier, however, this growth habit does not serve any purpose. In fact, Sentinels can become a liability if left to grow, conflicting with the natural growth of the plant. Remove the Sentinels to help restore the natural beauty of your plant.

Plants have specific areas on their trunks and branches that can guide your pruning cuts. Training your eye to see these is important.

Example: The Branch Collar is the area at the base of a stem, branch or limb (where it joins the rest of the plant). It resembles pantyhose gathering around the ankles! Appearing as darker lines encircling the base of the stem, branch or limb, the Branch Collar must remain intact on the plant after a cut is made. A plant’s internal defense system is contained in the cells of these Branch Collars, helping protect the plant when a cut is made. Leaving the Branch Collar on the surviving branch helps the plant recover quickly from your pruning.

Fran provides many more pruning tips including two other Growth Habits, Plant Clues and Garden Conflicts on her new, updated and revised DVD. Click here to order today!