6 Expert-Approved Pruning Tips Every Gardener Should Know

Pruning, which involves shaping and thinning a tree or shrub by selectively cutting branches, is an essential gardening practice. It’s the key to healthy plants that produce more blooms—and in the case of fruit trees, bear more fruit. Yet for beginners, it can be intimidating to know how and where to properly start.

Pruning is also a prime opportunity to snip dead, diseased, or injured limbs and leaves, which can spread decay throughout a plant. Plus, pruning can prepare plants for harsh weather and other environmental stressors like extreme heat.

If you still need a push to get pruning, we surveyed some plant pros and asked them to share their best six snipping tips.

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