How to Use Pruning Shears

Pruning shears are used to trim the shrubbery, plants and flowers found on your property. Regular pruning improves both the appearance and health of a plant while also influencing future growth. Often, pruning can restore a plant that has started to die off.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Decide on the plants that require pruning. Look over the plant and decide which stems need to be removed. Some plants may only require a couple of cuts. You should plan on pruning the plants when they are dormant, usually late in the growing season.

2. Put on a pair of gardening gloves. You should protect your hands when using a pair of pruning shears. Goggles are also a good idea.

3. Perform several cuts. If you plan to prune back fairly deep, it is recommended that you perform several cuts with the pruning shears to do this. You may need to make up to three or four cuts before you prune the plant back enough.

4. Follow the guidelines for pruning. Experts warn against pruning back so far that the cut is flush with the trunk. This can damage the trunk and cause awkward growth patterns.

5. Prune away the tips of shrubs. You can also use your pruning shears to nip off the ends of shrubbery to promote better growth.

6. Clean off the pruning shears once you are finished. This will prevent diseases from spreading to other plants in your yard.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't plan to do much pruning in the spring. This is the period of plant growth and pruning is not a necessity at this time.