Lawn and Garden Care: Pruning

Chapter 13—Developing a Preventative Pruning Program: Mature Trees

Edward F. Gilman and Amanda Bisson

ENH1063, a 14-page full color fact sheet by Edward F. Gilman and Amanda Bisson, is part of the Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery Program series. It describes seven main objectives, along with pruning types that help meet those objectives, which can be expanded or shortened to meet site conditions and customer expectations. It also describes how to determine a pruning cycle and how to implement a preventative pruning plan for mature trees.

Mechanical Pruning of Citrus Trees

Mongi Zekri

Summer Pruning in Low-Chill Peaches Grown in Florida

Ali Sarkhosh, Dustin Huff, Trequan McGee, and Juanita Popenoe

After the harvest season in any peach orchard, large or small, while daily picking may have ceased, the focus quickly shifts to how to manage the trees to support the subsequent year's crop. The strong apical dominance of peach trees will cause them to continuously put energy into upward growth, which ultimately shades out and hinders the development of fruiting wood in the lower portion of the canopy.

Pruning Shade Trees in Landscapes: A Plan for Training Shade Trees

Edward F. Gilman

Chapter 12—Developing a Preventative Pruning Program: Young Trees

Edward F. Gilman and Amanda Bisson

Trees growing in urban and suburban landscapes offer many benefits to the community. However, when a tree or part of a tree breaks, it can cause extensive damage to people and /or property. A preventive pruning program is an important tool used to help mitigate the risks from tree defects. Preventive pruning helps to promote good structure, making trees more resistant to storms and other natural forces. This fact sheet describes the components of preventative structural pruning, discusses how to determine pruning objectives, the pruning cycle and, lastly, proposes how to implement a preventative pruning plan for young trees in your community.

Pruning Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida

Douglas A. Phillips and Jeffrey G. Williamson

Pruning is an essential part of blueberry production and is used to help establish new plantings; promote postharvest growth of new foliage and fruiting wood; balance vegetative and reproductive growth; reduce disease and certain insect pressure; assist in harvesting efficiency; and promote new cane growth and plant longevity. The following is a discussion of pruning practices on southern highbush blueberry in Florida.

Training and Pruning Florida Peaches, Nectarines, and Plums

Ali Sarkhosh and James Ferguson

Dispelling Misperceptions About Trees

Edward F. Gilman

There are many misperceptions about trees and their care. Many have been passed from one generation to the next without critical evaluation. Each of the statements in this document is true. Each is discussed with regards to the most recent research findings.

Floricane Blackberry Pruning Guide for Florida

Muhammad A. Shahid and Ali Sarkhosh

This article aims to provide a general overview of growth habits, fruiting patterns, and pruning requirements/timing for county and state Extension faculty, growers, homeowners, and students interested in growing floricane blackberries in Florida. Written by Muhammad A. Shahid and Ali Sarkhosh, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, March 2023.

Crapemyrtle Pruning

Gary W. Knox, Edward F. Gilman, Teagan Young, Ryan W. Klein, and Leynar Leyton

Pruning is one of the most controversial aspects of maintaining crapemyrtle. Traditionally, many crapemyrtles were routinely topped, leaving large branch and stem stubs. This practice has been called "crape murder" because most people dislike the winter appearance and many professionals believe the practice impacts crapemyrtle health and structural integrity. UF/IFAS research has clarified the effects of various crapemyrtle pruning practices that resulted in the recommendations in this publication.

Pruning, Harvesting and Maintenance of Florida-Friendly Edible Landscapes

Rachel Gutner, Tina McIntyre, Tiare Silvasy, Hamutahl Cohen, and Esen Momol

Maintaining an edible landscape using the nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) principles provides a practical approach to food production in the home environment. Integrating pest management strategies, addressing nutrient deficiencies, proper pruning techniques, timely harvesting, and mulching are all practices that contribute to having a healthy edible landscape. The audience for this new 6-page publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department is Floridian homeowners attempting to grow edibles, such as vegetables, fruits and herbs. Written by Rachel Gutner, Tina McIntyre, Tiare Silvasy, Hamutahl Cohen, and Esen Momol.