There are almost as many methods of pruning trees, bushes and shrubs as
there are gardeners doing it, so it is hardly surprising that it often
becomes an issue of keen debate between different practitioners. Joan
and I tend to do a lot of our pruning in the autumn while others prefer
springtime, it's all a matter of personal choice. When I am in doubt
about any particular pruning job, I find the RHS Plant-by-Plant Manual
'Pruning and Training'# very helpful indeed. There are several other
good publications on the subject and various aspects of pruning are
always welcome for discussion in this and other gardening groups.

My personal approach to pruning is to remember that much, though by no
means all fruiting or flowering takes place next year on this year's new
growth. I also bear in mind that pruning is as much about training the
size and shape of the plant and keeping it healthy and vigorous as it is
about having better crops or floral displays. My personal priorities at
pruning time a

*Cut out any obviously dead wood
*Cut out and burn any diseased stems or branches
*Remove or cut back any stems or branches which are damaged or are
growing at awkward angles to the rest of the plant
*Cut back any growth necessary for training height or width
*Remove old wood from the centre of the plant to let in light
*Remove unwanted basal suckers or side stems
*Clear up fallen cuttings, leaves and other debris from around the plant
*Provide any staking or tying necessary
*Apply a mulch of manure, compost or soft shreddings around the plant

# RHS Pruning and Training Manual by Christopher Brickell/David Joyce
Published 1996 for RHS by Dorling Kindersley www.dk.com
340 pps. hardback, fully colour illus.
ISBN 0 7513 0207 4
--
Alan & Joan Gould, North Lincs.

But have you seen the results of trials of late which show that many shrubs
respond better to a light sheering over HT roses included.

--
Art

Garden Web http://www.gardenweb.com
My Garden Web exchange page http://www.gardenweb.com/members/exch/art1952