Test PB Collection: FTE

Here are recommended tools and basic pruning techniques for maintaining the health of a plant and for accentuating key attributes, such as leaves, bark, branch structure, flowers, fruit, or other desirable characteristics. Bypass pruners or shears BYPASS SHEARS Bypass shears are like scissors.

Because pruning cuts are wounds, it is important to make cuts in a manner that increases the likelihood that the wounds will seal and maintain the health of the plant.

Hydrangea. Photo: Annie Spratt, Unsplash This section covers flowering trees and shrubs that have been introduced to Marin and other California counties as a result of European contact. These tend to enter dormancy when days shorten and temperatures cool.

Toyon. Photo: PxHere Native plants are plants that grew in Marin and other California counties before European contact. Non-native plants are plants that have been introduced to Marin and other California counties as a result of European contact.

> Three zones of defensible space > Guidelines for plant spacing > Woodpiles, decks, tanks, & other fire hazards > Choosing plants for a fire-smart landscape > Fighting fire on a slope > Fire-smart home landscape design examples To create defensible space, think about your garden in three zones.

Analyze first The decision to fertilize should be based upon the health of the plant, the desired rate of growth, and a soil analysis. A soil analysis will tell you the soil pH and the amounts of nutrients in the soil that are available for plant growth.

North Carolina Department of Agriculture A product label is all of the written, printed, or graphic matter on a product container.

Back Bud A dormant bud on bare branches below their leafy ends, or on the trunk. Depending upon the plant, pruning the leafy portions of branches can activate these back buds below each cut. Bareroot A plant with little or no soil on its roots.

> Before you start pruning > Understand new wood & old wood > When to prune > Make a pruning plan > What to prune and remove > How much to remove #1.

Pittosporum tobira, mock orange. Photo: Wikimedia Commons Shrubs are extremely versatile and hard-working, often forming the framework of a landscape. Some are low-growing and others are as tall and large as trees. They make excellent privacy hedges, foundations, and evergreen backdrops.