Prune trees when they are young. A tree that is arriving from a reputable nursery will not need pruning within the first year. However, by year two or three, some pruning will be required.

A maple tree produces multiple branches from its main trunk or large lateral branches — prune these back to the base of the branch you wish to remove. You will not hurt the tree.

A: Lilac trees should be pruned immediately after they finish blooming in the spring. If you prune before they bloom you will be removing the wood on which the plant will bloom.

As well as what to cut and why, knowing how to make the proper pruning cuts helps preserve the health of a shrub. It is the same with knowing how to prune tree branches, the right types of cuts ...

When to prune is complicated question, said Fournier, as lots of species of tree don't follow the rules. That said, there are a couple of general guidelines to follow.

Growing Things: Prune trees to stave off black knot Q: We have a very large chokecherry tree and it has what appears to be black knot on several branches higher up on the tree.

For trees and shrubs, look for water sprouts and crossing branches to remove. Avoid cutting too much: Never take more than 30 percent of the total plant growth during any one pruning session.

Trim off the dead flowers and cut back to a set of leaves or a bud, pruning off a maximum of 12 inches of growth. This cut will encourage new growth that will carry next spring’s blossom.