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Plant Encyclopedia
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Pruning technique: The 3-cut method for heavy limbs
Cutting heavy limbs requires the 3-cut method to prevent splintering. Learn the right sequence for clean, professional work.
Pruning technique: 45-degree angle cut
The 45-degree cut is the foundation of professional pruning. Learn why this angle promotes healing and prevents disease.
Pruning technique: Outward-facing bud - shaping your plant
Outward-facing buds determine your plant's shape. Learn why you always cut above outward buds to create open, airy plants.
Pruning technique: Clean cut versus stub - the difference
A clean cut above the bud heals fast. A stub (twig above the cut) dies and attracts disease. Learn the critical difference.
Don't cut the branch collar: why it matters for tree health
The collar protects your tree from infection. Learn how to cut correctly without damaging it.
Pruning technique: Cut above the bud - how it works
The cut-above-the-bud technique controls how your plant grows after pruning. Learn the right angle, distance, and timing for perfect results.
Wound closure: why you don't need to seal your pruning cuts
Trees heal their own wounds. Discover why sealants are harmful and how natural wound closure really works.
How to prune ivy for better flowering: blooming boost
Ivy rarely flowers. Learn how pruning stimulates flower growth and gets you red berries.