How to Cut Yucca Brevifolia
Yucca brevifolia is commonly known as the Joshua tree. It received its nickname from Mormon settlers who thought its branches looked like a man lifting his hands in prayer. Yucca brevifolia is native to southwestern North America and prefers dry hot climates where it grows with little to no care at all. Some gardeners, however, prefer to keep their tree cut and pruned to remove dead foliage and increase its ornamental value. The best time to prune a Joshua tree is in early spring. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Prune old, dead leaves flush with the cane (branch) or trunk with a sharp serrated knife or a pair of sharp pruning shears. The dead leaves will eventually fall off on their own. But in the mean time, they will lay densely matted on the cane. Some find this unattractive. And in very dry conditions, the dry leaves pose a fire hazard. Do not prune green leaves.
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Cut the tree's flower cluster off at its base once it dies. This will redirect the energy from seed production to root and cane growth. If you wish to collect the flowers later in the season, leave the flower cluster in place.
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Cut the canes back to a more desirable height if the tree gets too tall or spreads too wide. Use a sharp pruning saw to cut right through the cane. The tree will produce a new green leaf cluster at the point where you made the pruning cut.
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References
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