School buses are back on the streets, activities are starting up again and it’s getting darker earlier. But a real sign that we are beginning to transition from shorts and T-shirts to having a sweater at hand, is the “browning of the landscape.” 

It is now fall, leaves are starting to come down—both from lack of rain and the changing season.

I especially notice leaves from the branches that overhang the deck. I’m not ready for the weekly-deck-blow-off, and fall brings pruning to mind, so I have this urge to cut the limbs back to keep the dead leaves at bay—problem solved, right?

However, I know from past experience that when I don’t plan my pruning, I can get a little over zealous. Before I know it, the trees and bushes aren’t trimmed, they are hacked! Just grabbing and cutting isn’t the way to go.

There are three main reasons to prune: 1) promote plant health, 2) improve appearance in the landscape and surroundings and 3) protect people and property. Your objective really determines how you prune.

When cutting back tree branches from your deck, here are some general things to remember:

• Step back and really look at the plant and the surrounding area. Is the objective to cut it back from the stairs or railing or to just simply shape it? When shaping be sure to cut branches at different lengths.
• Know the growth habit of the plant. Does the plant bloom on old growth or new?  You don’t want to take off buds that have set and wonder why next spring you have no blossoms.
• Trees are best pruned in the fall while many shrubs should be pruned in the spring as soon as they stop blooming.
• Evergreens can be pruned anytime as long as the branches aren’t frozen.
• Cut away dead or diseased limbs at any time.
• Select the proper tools for the job. Small branches less than one inch should be hand-pruned with shears. Loppers are for branches about one inch in diameter and anything larger requires a pruning saw.
• When cutting a branch, make the cut at an angle, not straight across. For really large branches, you will need to make two cuts so the weight of the branch does not split the trunk.

A great resource for all types of tree trimming can be found at your local extension office site. A great resource for general pruning tips can be found here: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/agpubs/ag-071.pdf.

Careful pruning can reduce the amount of leaves and other accumulated debris and really enhance the beauty of your deck or other outdoor living spaces.