Overcome your fears of pruning shrubs

Pruning is a straightforward activity, yet it appears to raise self-doubts in some gardeners when facing a plant subject with secateurs in hand.

- BY TOM PATTINSON

In essence, all that's required to build confidence is an understanding of why you are pruning, when it should be done and how much growth to remove - plus a little practice. Some cuts are simply necessary.

There's no mistaking dead or diseased stems on a shrub or ornamental tree and the fact that they must be removed on plant health grounds.

Similarly, branches that cross and rub together in a strong breeze will cause an open wound that encourages disease.

Pruning steps in to control the height and width of a hedge or individual shrubs that have become too vigorous.