Pruning or trimming is a practice of selectively removing plant parts such as twigs, leaves and spent flowers. Although pruning is not a necessity for a tree or landscape, it does offer various benefits. Pruning is good as it maintains plant health and periodically removes dead, diseased or damaged parts. Also, it removes the crossing and unwanted shoots. Pruning is famous because it provides an ornamental feature to the plants.
Pruning is not as easy as it sounds. Many people belonging to various private or government organizations tend to involve in ruthless pruning. This can be easily cited on the trees growing roadsides or on the dividers of national highways. In the name of pruning, they only leave the stump of the tree and expect it to grow back. Many such stumps of yellow oleander, bougainvillaea and Tacoma can be seen roadside. And the branches obtained after it are sold in the market. This is a very insensible thing to do and is equivalent to killing trees. People are unaware of the significance of pruning and how to practice it.
Pruning is a good thing to do only when it is done properly and carefully. One should make sure to do pruning gracefully. Only remove the outgrown shoots and leaves. Check for the damaged and diseased parts and cut them. Always remember the thumb rule, the main stem of the tree should never be touched and only remove the lower growing branches, so that tree grows with a beautiful canopy.
Let’s initiate light pruning for a greener environment and better ambience on our National and state highways. This initiative will also add to the green cover of the country.