A thinning cut removes a branch at its point of origin on the trunk. "I want to emphasise the word 'clean'. Pruning is surgery," she says. Heading cuts stimulate growth of buds closest to the wound. Each results in a different growth response and has specific uses. There are two basic types of pruning cuts, heading and thinning (Fig. Note: In this publication the term “trunk” refers to the trunk or parent branch and “side branch” refers to the adjacent side branch arising from the trunk (parent branch). At right are three types of pruning cuts: pinching removes the terminal growth; heading removes part of the shoot; and thinning eliminates the entire shoot. The scissor-type pruners though are more preferred because they make clean and close cuts as compared to the anvil-type. They are used to remove damaged, dead, or weak branches, reduce the length and weight of heavy limbs, or reduce the height of a tree. A reduction cut shortens a limb to a lateral branch large enough to resume the growth of the pruned limb (Figure 1). Types of tree pruning. For heading, you cut farther back on the shoot than you would for pinching. 7). By doing away with apical dominance, the heading cut will stimulate regrowth close to where it was made. Heading. By removing apical dominance, heading stimulates regrowth near the cut. Anvil-type pruners, on the other hand, tend to ruin stems during pruning. Make heading cuts selectively to reduce shrub height and retain natural form. This type of pruning technique eliminates the terminal part of shoots and branches. Heading cuts are as well noted for been the most revitalizing pruning methods and result in thick and compact growth along with the loss of a tree’s natural form. Anvil-type pruners, on the other hand, tend to ruin stems during pruning. Heading removes the terminal portion of shoots or limbs (Fig. The direction in which the top remaining bud is pointing will determine the direction of new growth. "Using clean tools is paramount. Types of Pruning Cuts. Sterilise tools between cuts, and most especially between trees by dropping into a … What ever type of pruning you are doing, you should remember that trees need their leaves in order to produce food - never remove more than 30% of the live foliage from a tree at once. In pruning, there are three primary types of pruning cuts, thinning cuts, reduction cuts, and heading cuts, each giving different results in growth and appearance. There are two basic types of pruning cuts: heading cuts, and thinning cuts. Arborists and tree surgeons tend to classify pruning according to where abouts in the crown branches are removed from. 7a). Thinning and reduction cuts leave no stubs. In most cases, the lateral bud has already grown a leaf, and you make the cut right above the leaf.