Gardeners warned over 7 pruning mistakes it's vital to avoid during autumn

Pruning is a common task gardeners face in autumn – but it’s one that can be done incorrectly if you’re not careful.

One of the most important things to remember when it comes to pruning is that different plants have different requirements. This includes everything from exactly when they are pruned and by which method.

Therefore, using a one-size-fits-all approach in your garden can end up damaging your flora and even impacting next year’s bloom. So, what mistakes should you be careful to avoid?

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According to the experts from Gardener’s World, there are seven blunders gardeners should be careful not to make.

Pruning at the wrong time of year

While most plants are best pruned during winter, this isn’t always the case. Some plants, like cherry and plum trees, are better pruned during summer, while spring-flowering shrubs should be pruned after they flower.

Pruning too much

Since pruning involves removing stems and leaves, key ways plants take in nutrients, Gardener’s World warns that being overzealous with the shears can result in roots dying back – and can even take the tree several years to recover. Instead you should prune less, but regularly.

Not pruning above a node

It’s recommended to always cut above the plant node, as it encourages new growth, prevents disease, and shapes the plant.

Gardener’s World writes: “Don't cut too closely above a node as this can damage it, but avoid leaving more than 1cm above the node as you will leave an unsightly stump, which can't grow and may therefore die.”

Not cleaning secateurs

Though easy to overlook, Gardener’s World advises taking time to clean your secateurs, as clean and sharp pruning tools work better, last longer and are safer to use than those which are dirty and blunt.

Not pruning at an angle

You should always cut branches at a downwards angle when pruning, so that when it rains water runs quickly off the wound – otherwise you risk fungal infections entering the plant by cutting it flat.

Not pruning out canker

This airborne bacterial disease is known to infect trees via damaged wood and can shorten their lifespan. Therefore, it’s important to cut it off when you spot it.

Not pruning dieback

Dieback is the progressive death of shoots, branches, or other end-parts of a woody plant, often starting from the tips and moving inward. It has multiple potential causes, such as disease and damage, but it’s important to remove it as it can potentially be infected by fungi.