Common Pruning Definitions

For a service as technical as tree and shrub pruning, arborists and other tree care workers should be well informed on the topic. Education from professional organizations and university extension services are essential, and this mini dictionary of pruning terms can help as a refresher course.

Arms: The main branches or extensions of the trunk.

Branch Collar: The ring of trunk tissue that surrounds a lateral branch at its point of attachment to the stem.

Bud: The slightly enlarged portion in the node region of a cane from which shoots grow.

Caliper: Refers to the diameter of a tree. In nursery-landscape practice, caliper is measured 6 inches above the ground level up to and including 4-inch diameter size and 12 inches above the ground level for larger sizes.

Candle: Refers to early spring growth of pine shoots before needle expansion.

Canes: Shoots that are mature and have attained all or most of their full length. They may be devoid of leaves and dormant. Dormant canes are the previous season’s annual growth.

Central Leader: The main stem of the tree from which other branches develop. In most cases, it is the trunk.

Crotch: Angle developed between two connecting branches.
 
Deciduous: Plants that normally have leaves only during the growing season and lose their leaves during the dormant season.

Dieback: The dying of stems due to adverse weather conditions, insects, diseases or other causes.

Disbudding: The removal of swollen buds or young shoots less than 1 inch long.

Dormant: The period of the year when a plant is not growing.

Double Leader: Two major, terminal growing points located at the top of the tree.

Espalier: To train a plant on a wire or trellis against a wall or other support.

Fruiting Wood: Canes or spurs that are selected for their size and quality and cut back to bear the current year’s crop.

Head: The part of the trunk, usually at the top, from which branches or arms grow.

Internode: The portion of a shoot or cane between two nodes.

Lateral: A branch originating from the main trunk.

Multiple-Stemmed Plants: Plants with more than one stem form the base compared to plants with only a central leader.

Node: The joint or swelling on a shoot or cane where buds and leaves are found.

Old Wood: Wood on any part of a vine older than one year.

Permanent Branch: A branch that is part of the major growth habit of the tree, usually originating from the trunk.

Pinching: The removal of the growing tip of a shoot by pinching between thumb and finger.

Pruning: The removal of excess parts of a tree, shrub or vine above ground, such as canes, shoots and leaves.

Radial Branch Spacing: The distribution of branches around the trunk of a tree.

Renewal Spur: A spur that produces shoots for the next year's fruiting canes or spurs.

Scaffold Branching: A permanent branch originating from the trunk and becoming a part of the major branching or framework of the tree.

Shearing: Cutting back plants with hedge shears resulting in a very formal growth habit. Limit shearing to hedges, topiary or where a formal garden is to be maintained.

Shoots: The new green growth that develops from buds during the growing season and matures to form canes.

Spur: The basal portion of a cane after it is cut back to a length of 1 to 4 buds. (The basal bud near the point where the cane joins an arm is not counted.)

Sucker: A vigorous shoot originating from root or stem tissue below ground.

Temporary Branch: A branch usually originating from the trunk that is removed by pruning after permanent branches have been selected.

Terminal: Tip ends of branches.

Thinning: Removal of connecting branches to point of origin or shortening the length of a branch by cutting to a lateral.

Training: To dictate the development and growth of a plant by physical means, such as pruning.

Trunk: The main body or stem of a vine.

Vertical Branch Spacing: Distribution of branches up and down the trunk of a tree.

Vigor: The rate of growth of a vine part.

Watersprout: Vigorous shoot arising from the trunk or older branches.

Wound: Area where the bark of a plant is cut or damaged.

The author is associate editor of Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at lspiers@lawnandlandscape.com Sources: The Univeristy of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign, www.orchardsedge.com and The University of Wisconsin-Extension