Many gardeners find even the thought of pruning intimidating.
A branch or a twig once removed cannot be replaced and that thought stays their hand. By giving some thought to the purpose of pruning the job becomes less traumatic for both the gardener and the plant. Plants are pruned to ensure their health and vigor, to free them of structural weakness, to reduce the risk of disease and enhance their ornamental features. The simplest approach to pruning makes the task understandable and accomplishes most of the desired results. The material to be removed is easily defined and the gardener is not paralyzed by indecision.