Pruning mistakes that 'stunt' a plant's growth or kill it for good

Pruning can be the key to a garden's success, but it can be tricky

Pruning can be a tricky task to remember, especially as the techniques vary between different plant types. Gardeners will need to prune at varying times throughout the year and in different manners, so it's crucial to identify your plant first.

Doing so will reward you with healthier and more attractive plants all year round. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when pruning, which apply throughout the year.

1. Over-pruning

Removing too much branch or stem at once can lead to root dieback, which may take several years to regrow, reports the Express.

Unless a "hard prune" is necessary for a plant, it's recommended by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to make small but regular cuts. Experts at Sutton Manor Nursery also warn that over-pruning can "stunt" a plant's growth and increase its vulnerability to diseases.

If your plant or tree appears stressed or damaged during or after pruning, it might be due to excessive pruning.

2. Pruning in the incorrect location

Avoid making incorrect cuts when pruning as this could cause damage and detract from the aesthetic appeal, defeating the purpose of pruning. An improper cut refers to cutting too close to the trunk or too far from it when pruning a tree.

3. Pruning with dirty secateurs

When pruning, it's important to cut branches and stems at an angle and ensure the secateurs are clean. Using dirty tools can introduce disease that could be fatal to a plant. Always ensure to disinfect before and after use.

4. Pruning at the incorrect time

Teo Spengler, a gardening expert at GardeningKnowHow, warns that if you prune a tree in summer or autumn, you may inadvertently remove buds, flowers or fruit. However, some trees are prone to silver leaf and should therefore be pruned in summer when the risk of infection is lower.

5. Insufficient pruning

While under-pruning is preferable to over-pruning and damaging a plant, shrub or tree, not pruning at all is also not ideal. When a plant needs pruning, it's because it requires stimulation to produce new, vigorous growth or to enhance its appearance.

Neglecting to trim it at all may result in an unruly plant that spoils the look of a garden. It might also fail to produce the growth you anticipated for the following year because the old growth has not been removed.

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