How to Prune (Not Kill) Trees and Shrubs

The why and how to prune your trees and shrubs with great exapmples of how trees recover when pruned corretly.

[@michaeldougfir9807]

Hi John, I have been an arborist since the 1980s. And I want to COMPLIMENT you on this video. Your facts are good, your demonstrations are good and you are a good speaker. Originally I got my training with the tree department of a coastal city in California. They worked it like a college course and we were city employees. While there I saw many trees mangled by our city landscapers. I'm still not sure what they thought they were doing. But I started telling the gardeners to keep their hands off the trees! To this day I tell people, "GARDENERS ARE NOT TREE MEN AND TREE MEN ARE NOT GARDENERS!" And that applies to me as well! Let's stick to what we were trained for. Obviously there will be exceptions. A gardener who watches videos like this, and those of "arborist Blair Glenn" on KZbin, will be far ahead. I know a county employee here that has a degree in horticulture. Even he asks about tree pruning. I am very happy to teach pruning to my customers and their families. I want them to believe in proper pruning. And the day will come when they will want to cut something on a tree of theirs. I want them to be happy and confident they did the cut properly when I'm there on another visit and they show me what they did. It happens several times a year. That folding pruning saw of yours looks like a "tri edge" saw tooth pattern. They are the best. Thanks for a good video. Michael in Rural Northeastern California.

[@aaronthurman8363]

Great Video...I never thought about the fact that trees could heal and grow over broken stumps and encapsulate the old branches like that. Makes you really appreciate trees haha

[@SkyeDCUO01]

Trust me, trees heal! As a gardener I see so many stumps that have grown sideways at ground level. It's an absolute nightmare to clear up and even harder to find the leading trunk.

[@heathermimiwahlquist5587]

Aha! FINALLY -Someone explains the WHY!!! We get HOW, but, rare to find WHY...Thank you, sir!!

[@KurtUhlir]

Thank you for explaining the “why”. It’s much easier to remember the method and even teach others when I know they rationale behind the technique.

[@_CAT-lg4sr]

Thank you showing us the finer points of proper tree pruning, branch removal and the reasons for cutting where you did. Very informative.

[@Dawn-Marie]

Very informative ! I love trees and don't want to accidentally hurt or kill them ! This was such great information to go by ! Thanks

[@stevedoingstuff3960]

Great video. Showing those examples in the beginning really drove the point home.

[@NHILLproductions]

Thanks. I need to prune a tree in my yard, and I’m clueless. Now that I’ve watched your video, I’m educated! I’ll definitely use the 3 cut method.

[@jennyramsey7837]

Thank you so much, really useful information before my first attempt at pruning a magnolia tree.

[@DaOneEnOnly]

@7:40 you describe in detail how to identify where the final cut should be made. This is crucial and great information! Thank you!

[@DsVibe]

Came here just wanting to do a good job for my paying neighbor... and now I really can !! Every single second was well expressed.

[@sheezabrickhouse7299]

That was a very valuable lesson and I can't thank you enough for taking the time out to patiently teach us the proper method and procedures. Really good teachable moment video! Salute!

[@Elythea]

Like you said, they show you the 3 cut method but don’t really get into why you’re supposed to do it like this. I have a pruning pole blade and was about to go to town on a bunch of trees until I saw this. So glad I took the time to learn why this method is used and how to keep the trees healthy. Thank you for all the information and example! Super helpful!

[@thebehmteam]

Great Video! I never thought about the fact that treez could heal and grow over broken stumps and encapsulate the old branches like that. Make me really appreciate trees in a whole new light!

[@nlbhaduri]

I like your demonstration on tree healing with the actual wood examples (keep in your tree pruning museum/library). I also appreciate the tool explanation (the subtle humour)….and finally, the explanation of tree terminology!

[@StopBSing]

I really miss the days before internet when I could do it wrong and the Mrs was happy, now she has me watching this, thanks guy 🤣

[@CTSCAPER]

I miss the days before the internet too.

[@Hmick0517]

Thank you this was very informative! I appreciate you explaining the why behind the 3 cut method.

[@wcosgrove1]

Actually feel confident I won’t destroy my tree. Thanks for the simple, to the point video my man.

[@QCMatt1]

I wanted to thank you for the education on the 3 cut method. I've always thought I had a pretty good idea of how to go about things when pruning my trees. I live in Arizona, and have mesquite trees that need pruning alot more than other trees I'm used to. The only way I could think to help you in return was to share your video and hit your website a few times. Thanks again, I really learned some things here that now that I know seem like common sense, but they're really not. I, like you prefer the outdoors and work in construction. Your website may have just inspired me to get a degree in horticulture and go to work for myself. Thanks again

[@tiffanyl6430]

This is super helpful. You are detailed & I appreciate the explanation and "why" behind using this method.

[@firebreathingchickenduck4936]

Thank you for this. My aunt was complaining about a tree that was damaged a bit during some storms we got and it basically turned into a huge shrub. my uncle never got around to it so i figured "i can do it" With your help i can prune this tree and try to help it become a tree again. Thank you

[@michaelblum6537]

I greatly appreciated this articulate tutorial. Your explanations of the 3 cut method and branch "collar" were particularly helpful. Thank you!

[@LEEMAN-X]

Thank Brutha,I absolutely appreciate you taking the time to show why you cut it the way you do. Great video 😊

[@YelpBullhorn]

Many thanks for the insight. This weekend, I’m going to tidy my garden up after a local tree surgeon quoted me £800 to do it for me! That’s for pruning a 20-foot cherry tree with 90% of its branches no thicker than my big toe, for levelling off a 15-foot run of hedging, for cutting back two buddleias, and for removing some bits of ivy that are currently attempting to invade my attic.

[@Macmacmacmacmacmacmac]

Brilliant video and absolutely excellent examples at the start of the video of the different healing processes!

[@peachlue6100]

This is amazing, really. I have seen these things in wood before and to know the happenings behind it is fricking fascinating. Trees are so cool I just love them 🥰

[@Kimosabe-]

YOU HAVE OPENED MY EYES TO TREES AND WOOD LIKE NO ONE AND NOTHING ELSE BEFORE. Wow. Brilliant.

[@marsham3519]

Thank you so very much! So grateful that you took time to show examples in older tree and then demoed live. My trees now have a chance!

[@marcs990]

Thx. I feel more confident after watching this video. I appreciate the knowledge from across the pond in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Greetings 😊

[@eselover21]

Hey man, that was a very good example showing how to prune. Like the way you explained everything. Thanks!!

[@larryd6143]

Great video. It should be mandatory viewing with field experience at every school. My pet peeve is what I call" blunt stump pruning" like at 8:00. They cut a branch to the length they want it, and don't consider how it will recover or if it will. A well pruned tree should not "look pruned," It should look more open and airy or reduced in size. My neighbor cut two 15' "Nuccio's' Camellias down to 2' stumps, and said "Oh they'll grow back." They must have been at least 40 or 50 years old and were densely foliated even on the north side. The most spectacular I'd ever seen. It will take decades for them to "recover" and by then rot will have long since set in. Redwoods are the only tree I know capable of "legacy growth." They can be cut like a telephone pole, send up a new leader to one side that will grow over the stump and a few years later the tree will look unscathed. Thanks

[@timtapio6084]

The Felco 600 is still available on Amazon, about $30. Enjoyed the video, never knew about the three cut method.

[@davidlee5087]

Thanks! I now know how to tell the collar of my tree from the rest of the tree ;) So I can prune my tree in a health manor, Ive spent alot on my trees!! Thanks for this video, it has really gave the information I have wanted to know for so long... ;)

[@chipoplouss]

Been pruning for years and didn’t know about the undercut bit so thanks for the tip 👍

[@TrinityTalks]

I so greatly appreciate this video. Im going to try save our half dead tree in the front yard. One side has these beautiful white flowers and the other looks like something out of a horror movie.

[@moca8405]

THANK YOU! I've learned something new, and I believe that knowing why is the most important and really beneficial to remember how to do things. I just wish I watched it before I pruned one branch a few days ago...

[@angelmcmurray]

Thank you for being detailed , I need to share this video to my son so he can apply to the trees 🌳 in our yard😃

[@thetreeleggedman9444]

Nice video John. everything you said was pretty spot on. The three cut method is called Natural Target Pruning : ) When you can see the collar it is the best indication of where to prune, however some trees do not have a visible collar to guide us. in the absence of a collar one must use the BBR ( branch bark ridge) as a guide. one must stand so they are directly facing the limb or branch they want to cut. then one must make an imaginary line down the out side of the trunk and symmetrically oppose the BBR to this line. in the cases that there is a collar one can do what i just said and will find that the mirror image of the BBR is in the exact same spot as the collar. I hope i made some sense here. possible consider doing another vid on the correct pruning for when one removes the main stem and prunes it back to an existing branch, this is more difficult

[@benashley2556]

Oh you mean something like a drop crotch prune?

[@nanyuan8806]

At age 57, I am never too old to learn. Thanks.

[@kokilapatel5553]

Same here I’m 65 , and learn a lot from such vdo , sometimes i can guide my gardener even

[@markaidan3020]

Great tutorial on how to do it right and why, learnt something really useful.. Very enjoyable and well presented as well.

[@zachquintana2032]

Thanks John! You make it very easy to understand what to do properly.

[@annshaw6426]

This is a stonkingly brilliant video. Many thanks especially for the examples from cut trees. Very revealing.

[@RandallGK]

This is a fantastic video. There are a thousand videos on the "three cut method" out there, but this one really stands out. Great work.

[@krystofhalama6087]

indeed. thank you.

[@kday9993]

Really helpful and interesting information. I've never seen a cross section of a healed cut branch before. Nice pruning demo!!

[@ajmartin6799]

GREAT information... just like Tim said, I didn't know about the three cut method. Thank you for the awesome content!!!

[@yogatsea]

Best pruning teaching video I've found on youtube

[@CTSCAPER]

Thank you Erik!

[@adriannawahl323]

Thank you so much for sharing best video I have seen on pruning VERY informative:) and I could totally relate to the "Jelly Arm" In fact because of this after working on the Crepe Myrtle in my yard for a very long while, I tore the bark on the second to last branch I was cutting. These were the tallest branches and I was already at the second to last step of the ladder (won't get on the top one) and stretching my arms as far as the could they could stretch Thanks for your help!

[@tinaciranni6123]

Great video. The example trees at the beginning really helped to understand the process (for the tree, not just so that I have a neater yard!) Brilliant.

[@ItsMyArtSpace_0]

Thank you s much for the explanation and demonstration! That made so much sense. I learned a lot from my dad on rose bushes and gardening but never learned about trees and shrubs.

[@rodcowie4706]

Really informative, to the point. Now I know how to tackle my Rowan tree in Scotland. Cheers.👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@skylilly1]

Great tips, thanks! I was going to trim a few branches off my two dogwoods that don't seem to be flowering or have leaves on them this year.

[@harshito27]

Thank you for sharing the knowledge ... i never knew about this, but now i know the proper way to prune a tree ...

[@dwlee0123]

Thank you man. This is a sincere video to help people.

[@nine0rowan]

Great video, you have a unaffected, personal style. If I could change it I would like the cutting method to be shown earlier. I heard the words "3-cut method" so many times without seeing it that I was beginning to think I was watching an infomercial!

[@partychika15]

Thanks for making this video, I had no idea how to prune a tree. Now I know what to buy.

[@PapaRoboto]

My dad always parks his cars into trees for some reason. As soon as I'm in a hardware store, I'll pick up one of those blades and prune said trees so that I can walk under their branches. Thanks!

[@hugoiglesias7458]

I only use the 3 cut method when the branch is too big or heavy to hold up. That small branch can be cut with a small cut at the bottom, then the top cut can be done all the way down. Another key tip to a great cut is a sharp saw. Do not use old & rusty. Another thing you say take your time, I need to add, sometimes it's possible, but sometimes we really can't take our sweet time if we are on a time schedule, or 30ft. Up in a tree hanging from it's crown.

[@AaronCo2]

Great video, taking the time to explain always makes any task much better. Thank you.

[@janmariablackwell8138]

Yay, big thank you for this very easy to remember, 3 cut method.

[@MegaSuperAwesomeBros]

This was really helpful. Got a lot of trees in my garden to deal with so hopefully we can do a good job of them

[@4y-B]

How did it go?

[@EvidenceofaFabulousLife]

Thank you John for a very clear and informative video. All the best to you and your family. Tim

[@CTSCAPER]

Thank you for watching.

[@biddydibdab9180]

Good video. Your explanations are clear.

[@austinroberson8]

ow great pruning video and explanation of 3 cut method. I should have watched this before I cut my apple tree. It’s no longer with us. Great info man, keep it up!

[@KawakebAstra]

🙏😎Excellent clear info .. thank & love 💛U fm me & my trees 🌳💫👏I feel confident after watching Ur tutorial

[@jeangejo]

never heard of any of this info until today, so thank you for sharing. Much apprecitated... :)

[@par25]

Great video, didn't even knew there was a wrong way of pruning.

[@ethancheung8633]

Thanks for showing that, very interesting to see!

[@hectormendozayamamoto5499]

Thank you for the video. Very educational for us non hardcore yard guys.

[@mvblitzyo]

really good example of correct pruning techniques !

[@thepaperstaggering]

thanks for taking the time to be thorough. This is a valuable video lesson.

[@chunkymonkey55555]

That was very informative, its made me decide to learn more about cutting trees properly.

[@bpccDCin2020]

Hi, John. Great video! I've had instruction on the "how to," but I appreciate knowing the "why." Your presentation is concise and informative. Thank you so much.

[@clavieala]

Thank you very much, very helpful! I will follow your advice and probably buy that hand saw. You mentioned Falco 600, right?

[@onetuliptree]

Excellent tutorial on three-cut method for pruning branches, Thank you!

[@desmondehoppie4758]

Very Informative. Thank You for taking the time to make this video.

[@akrounds]

I bought a Felco 600, it’s so good. Thank you!

[@CTSCAPER]

Love that saw!

[@marlenemckenna4815]

Thank you! Very helpful.

[@nineballcornerpocket]

There are some sawzall blades made for pruning that I find work pretty well. But I learned something new from this vid so thx.

[@girltoyinternational]

thanks. i wont forget this video. i wish i watched it before i did some pruning earlier today! awesome.

[@MrBlasko29]

Wow, thanks, man! That really was informative and easy to understand.

[@shawnhall1893]

Good analogy of the bark and our skin.

[@nerrawdivad]

Very good explanation and demonstration !!!!!

[@irmaztamal21]

6:47 till 7:30 Finally after 7 years... I just learn this very useful technique... Thank you very much. Somewhere from Borneo, where trees are everywhere ,🥴

[@HagamossushiLetsmakesushiAcome]

Awesome video definitely learn a new way to prune a tree 🌲

[@commonsense99]

Great video John! Very helpful. Thanks again.

[@fabianpalacio205]

I just came from video games, politics, and funny videos. Just letting you know the intro music really caught me off guard in a good way.

[@lindytown]

Great tutorial. Really good information and well presented. Thanks!

[@charlesonyango5608]

Thanks for this. Great instructional video. Gave me confidence to prune my tree.

[@candicecrawford2996]

I had no idea. Thank you for sharing.

[@rona2119]

Very good informational video helping me prune my fig tree. Thanks! !!

[@bretwrightnastyauthor]

Thanks for putting this up. I used it to help me trim a monster pine in my back yard. Three cut method for the win!

[@karabinas]

Information I will take with me for the rest of my life…thank you.

[@leaf2180]

I trimmed a sycamore back about 2 weeks ago. I used these methods without even thinking. Only thing i didn't realize or even think about, was how far back i cut it. They say not to cut a young tree more than 25%, this tree is around 6 years old and I'd say i cut it back closer to 50% (oops) i left some smaller branches on it, a few still have leaves. I hope it comes back 😥 i have been pruning trees and shrubs for years and have never killed one, i hope it's not the first, because it was a beautiful tree.

[@thunderbearclaw]

Nice explanation. What is that town? It looks like a pretty area.

[@vibinwpsilocybin1424]

Thank you for this.

[@TheKakatate]

This was really helpful. Thank you!

[@Meeteepao]

Nice video! Should I follow the same procedure for trimming a smaller pot based tree? We have a few damas trees (Conocarpus lancifolius) outside our front door that have grown a lot and need to be trimmed down. Thanks.

[@chax2004]

I like your hat and i like your videos very informative.

[@WBToolNews]

The tree healing is very interesting, thanks for sharing!

[@wild-hernessaerialist6440]

Thank you for your video. Really appreciate it! Nice job!