Missouri Botanical 
Garden Bulletin 
Vol. VI St. Louis, Mo., November, 1918 No. 9 
PRUNING 
Pruning is a horticultural practice of great importance, 
but its object is frequently misunderstood and its results 
looked upon with distrust. When improperly done it may 
be devitalizing and injurious to plant growth as well as 
detrimental to its beauty; but the experience of centuries, 
together with extensive physiological studies and the prec- 
edent in nature, warrants the conclusion that scientific — 
pruning is a legitimate procedure, advantageous, and in fact 
indispensable, to successful growth. 
The essentials of pruning consist in the removal of ex- 
cessive or undesirable living or dead branches and _ roots 
for the benefit of the parts that remain. In intelligent 
hands the process is of vital importance, but as often prac- 
ticed by tree “butchers” and other “experts” who aimlessly 
lop and shear trees and shrubs, the only result is to endanger 
their growth and to despoil them of their natural beauty. 
The principles of pruning will be considered here under 
the following heads: (1) street and lawn trees, (2) orna- 
mental shrubs and vines, and (8) fruit trees, bush fruits, 
and grapes. 
Street and Lawn Trees—The need for pruning trees 
first arises at the time of transplanting. Since even with 
the greatest precautions it is impossible to dig up all the 
roots, it is necessary to cut back the top to maintain a bal- 
ance. The amount of cutting depends upon the nature of 
the roots, the less fibrous SENS greater reduction at the 
top. Usually the removal of four-fifths of the previous 
year’s growth is sufficient, a smooth cut being made just 
above an outward-pointing bud. The amount of top prun- 
ing also depends upon the ease with which the various 
species are transplanted. A more severe pruning Is re- 
quired for trees difficult to move, such as magnolias, sweet 
gums, and tulip trees, than for maples, sycamores, elms, 
poplars, ashes, etc. In general, however, it is better to 
prune too much rather than not enough, for the more se- 
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