Have you ever seen a Christmas tree? Of course, you have. That’s how you prune almost every kind of tree, deciduous and evergreen.
Select one stem as the central leader and prune the rest back.
Central Leader. It’s the most important word for today. Select a stem or branch as the center of the tree and go for it. It’s not complicated. Cut the competing branches below the central leader and the tree will do the rest.
This works on every kind of tree and shrub. Why is this such a big secret? I don’t know… Maybe it should be taught in school. When in doubt, think central leader.
Why a central leader? It’s the most structurally sound form for a tree. The branch angles will approach 90 degrees (considered the best strength angle). The tree will thank you by not breaking during a snow or ice storm.
