To prune or not to prune?

That is the question Bill Wyatt tackled in his seminar, “Pruning Landscape Trees, Shrubs and Groundcovers.”

The topic launched “Tuesdays with a Gardener,” a nine-month series that began Feb. 20 at the Jackson-Madison County Library.
Pruning is a timely topic – March is a good time to prune your trees and shrubs, said Jason Reeves, a horticulturist with the UT Research and Education Center.

“The first question you want to ask yourself is, ‘Why I am doing this?’” Wyatt said to the audience of about three dozen people.

He gave them a handout, “Tree Topping Hurts Trees,” from the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council, in addition to a pamphlet on his program.

“There are a number of reasons to prune,” Wyatt said, including:

# To remove diseased or dead limbs

# To remove nuisance limbs because of leggy, or aggressive, growth

# To shape the plant

# To stimulate flowering

Trying to shape a plant is the most common reason people give for pruning, Wyatt said.

“The next problem is the choice of pruning shears,” said Wyatt. He is a University of Tennessee Extension agent who advises and coordinates the Master Gardener program.

He pointed out such pruning tools as the bow saw, for larger limbs; hand-held pruners; and a folding saw.

“The folding saw will be the best $25 to $30 investment you’ll ever make,” he said.

Reeves also has a favorite pruning tool.

“If you had to choose one tool to purchase, I would recommend the bow saw,” he said.

Whatever the tool, “pay attention to how you prune,” Wyatt said.

“A 45-degree angle on a stem will allow for new growth,” he said.

An improper cut, however, will leave the plant susceptible to insects and disease.

“You want to do a slow-type pruning because that focuses on the natural shape of the plant,” he said.

“My advice is to make as few cuts as possible. Make sure there is a method, but not madness, in your pruning,” Wyatt grinned.

“Take some water or a soft drink outside when starting to prune,” Wyatt said.

“Make a cut, then lay down the tools, take a sip of water or Coke, then step back and look at what you just did.”

That gives you a clearer picture of what the pruning should look like and prevents unnecessary cutting, he said. Keep repeating those steps until you have finished the job.

English ivy, monkey grass and Chinese wisteria were among the groundcovers discussed.

Keep ivy trimmed. “You don’t want it to go kudzu on you,” said Wyatt joking about the rampant greenery.

Kudzu was orginally imported from Japan to reduce soil erosion, especially in the Southeast, according to www.alabamatv.org/kudzu/.

The audience asked several questions, ranging from pruning trees and shrubbery to spraying fruit trees to growing roses.

Many of those questions also may be addressed in later seminars during the series, which runs through October.

Linda Willams came to the inaugural presentation after seeing a calendar listing on the counter at the library.

She had samples of several cuttings from her yard and got help identifying them. They included Foster holly, flowering quince, nandina and Chinese holly.

“I brought them so I can learn how to take care of them. That is why I’ve got a problem,” Williams said.

The previous homeowners must have had more time – or took the time – for landscaping, she laughed.

“I plan to come back to some other sessions. If I know ahead of time, I might be able to swing it,” Williams said.

She is a nurse at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and was surprised by the turnout – 35 people – as was Carol Emery, a Master Gardener who brought along her husband, Van, so they could get some pruning tips.

The event was informative, said Van, a Jackson architect who says he enjoys going to the Summer Celebration at the UT Research and Education Center each year.

He hopes to be a repeat visitor to the library seminars, he said.

Most programs presented by the Master Gardeners will be held the third Tuesday of every month. The next is “Shade Gardening” on March 20.

Visit jacksonsun.com and share your thoughts.

- Gwenda Anthony, 425-9631 source : www.jacksonsun.com