Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 3.18
The blade should be next to the bud being
cut to and on an angle.
Figure 3.20
Leaving a stub above the bud will almost
certainly result in a dead piece of stem; a vulnerable spot
for disease to enter.
You can also make many small cuts in one go
by using hedge clippers (mechanical or
otherwise) or with chainsaws. Hedging
plants can tolerate different treatment
(see page 85).
Figure 3.19
The bottom of the cut should not go below
the bottom of the bud. If it does the bud may dry out
and die.
Mediumbranchesupto35-45mm
diameter
Tools
Loppers are the ideal tool for medium
branches. The long handles give extra
leverage and also extra reach to access
higher branches. Although you may be
tempted to use the secateurs, using
loppers for this size branch is safer for you,
your tools and your plant. The more robust
loppers prevent the branch twisting.
Swivelling or twisting branches can result
in an uneven cut or a sudden slip that can
injure the pruner.
Leaving a stub above the bud is also
detrimental. As most growth in plants occurs
from active buds, a piece of blank stem will
simply die and possibly be a site for disease to
enter (see Figure 3.20).
Commercial orchards and vineyards cannot
afford such painstaking work, yet the trees
and shrubs they cultivate have to produce the
maximum of quality crop for the farmers to
stay viable. It makes sense for them to reduce
labour costs where they can; the ideal is good
but not always necessary. On the other hand
the home gardener will not need to prune
hectares of trees, so a good hand-pruning
technique will result in effective results. Just
remember you don't have to be too exact.
Loppers come in various sizes (see Figure
3.21). The longer the handles, the more
