It’s that time of year again – winter, when gardeners prepare for one of nature’s most
counterintuitive practices: cutting back to encourage growth. Pruning, typically done
in late winter to early spring while many plants are still dormant, is often mistaken for
simple trimming. In reality, it’s a mix of art and science that can transform struggling
plants into thriving specimens.
"Pruning is less about taking away and more about helping plants reach their full
potential," explains Charles Henderson, Business Development Manager and Tree
Professional at Husqvarna South Africa. "Done right, every cut directs the plant's
energy toward healthier, stronger growth and the transformation from bare to
blooming is truly remarkable.”
Benefits of Pruning
So why does pruning matter? “Beyond the visual,” says Henderson, “pruning delivers
various advantages that extend far beyond the obvious.” He highlights some of the
key benefits:
Encourages better growth: Selective cutting triggers a natural hormone
response that shifts energy from weak or crowded branches to stronger new
growth.
Reduces disease risk: Thinning dense foliage improves air circulation,
making it harder for fungal diseases to thrive.
Boosts yield and blooms: For fruit trees, this means better-quality fruit. For
flowering plants, more blooms and stronger stems.
Shapes growth: Cutting just above a node helps direct new growth and
avoids dieback.
Strengthens structure: Targeted pruning supports healthy, stable plant
architecture.
Improves light penetration: More light reaches inner branches, reducing
weak, leggy growth.
Seasonal Pruning Techniques
“Pruning is not limited to winter, though,” Henderson adds. “Different plants require
different methods, depending on the season, dormancy, and when they flower.
Winter: Ideal for pruning deciduous trees and structural work, as dormant
plants handle cuts with minimal stress.
Spring: Once the risk of frost is over, prune spring-flowering shrubs (after
they bloom), evergreen hedges, and frost-damaged perennials to encourage
new growth.
Summer: Focus on controlling growth, deadheading, and shaping, but avoid
heavy cutting during peak heat.
Autumn: Limit pruning, as it can trigger frost-sensitive growth. Stick to light
clean-up of spent or diseased growth.
Tips and Safety Practices
For Henderson, safety is paramount – starting with PPE, supported by reliable,
professional-grade tools such as those of Husqvarna, and guided by the right
technique.
He also emphasises the need for sharp, clean tools to create smoother cuts that heal
faster and are less likely to attract pests or disease than the rough tears caused by
dull blades. He shares some additional tips:
Taper hedges so they’re wider at the base. Hedge trimmers are the ideal tool
for achieving a clean, even shape that allows light to reach lower branches,
helping to prevent sparse growth.
Use a pole saw to reach high branches safely. Start low, work up, use smooth
motions, and cut in stages to avoid bark tearing.
Trim small flowering shrubs from the bottom up, maintaining proper cutting
angles that slope away from buds to shed water effectively.
For large limbs on mature trees, use the three-cut method: undercut, top cut,
then final stub removal to prevent bark damage.
Common Pruning Mistakes
Understanding what not to do is as important as mastering proper pruning methods.
Henderson highlights what to avoid:
"Topping" – random cutting of main branches back to stubs – destroys natural
plant shape, promotes weak sucker growth, and creates long-term health
problems.
Cutting too close to or far from nodes either damages growing points or
leaves vulnerable stubs that invite disease.
Removing more than one-third of the oldest, thickest stems annually shocks
plants into survival mode rather than promoting thriving growth.
Using dirty or poorly maintained tools spreads pathogens between plants,
while torn bark from dull blades creates entry points for pests and structural
weakness.
Pruning spring-flowering shrubs in late winter inadvertently removes flower
buds and sacrifices the entire season's blooms.
“Mastering the art of pruning is about knowing what to cut, when to cut, and where to
cut,” he concludes. “Once you can put this into practice, you’ll be able to approach
pruning with confidence and achieve healthier, better-shaped plants and trees, and a
garden that truly thrives.”
Visit https://www.husqvarna.com/za/ to browse the full range of Husqvarna pruning
equipment.
ENDS
WORD COUNT: 689
Press Release Disseminated on Behalf of:
Timothy Isabirye
Marketing Manager – Husqvarna South Africa
About Husqvarna
Husqvarna, a brand within Husqvarna Group, is a market leader in innovative and
high-quality products and services for shaping green spaces in parks, forests and
gardens. Since 1689, Swedish-born Husqvarna has a strong focus on research and
development and is a pioneer in robotic lawn mowers and chainsaws. Today, the
product portfolio consists of the next generation of robotic mowers, riders, chainsaws
and trimmers for professional as well as private use. Sustainable value creation,
product innovation and digitalisation remain important for the journey ahead.
Husqvarna products are sold in more than 100 countries. Husqvarna Group, which
also includes Gardena and Husqvarna Construction, has 13,300 employees in 40
countries around the world and net sales in 2024 amounted to SEK 48,4 billion.
Husqvarna Group is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.
