Ornamental Plants HYG -72 Reasons for Pruning To keep plants at desired size. To remove all dead, diseased, broken and injured parts. To encourage best growth for flowers and fruits. To rejuvenate declining plants. Basic Pruning Equipment Hand Shears - There are a number of styles but get a good pair.
Cheap shears are a poor value.
Pruning Saw - Small saws with fine teeth are best for shrubs and small limbs. Larger saws with coarse teeth are needed for large tree limbs. Hedge Shears - If hedges or other evergreens are to be sheared, either electric hedge shears or hand hedge shears are needed. Pruning Paint - A spray can of pruning paint is needed to treat all cuts larger than a quarter and there is no harm in treating all cuts. Avoid pruning evergreens in the summer and early fall.