How to Prune a Tree to Get a Wider Canopy

Pruning a tree removes unnecessary, unwanted or dead branches to cause growth elsewhere. This can encourage the tree’s canopy to grow wider, increasing its shading abilities and aesthetic appeal. Before pruning your tree, you must consult a local tree nursery for information on what time of year is best to remove growth for your species. Generally, late autumn to early winter are of greatest benefit. If you wish to prune a tree to get a wider canopy, you must dedicate about 20 minutes once yearly. Within one to four years, the size of your tree’s canopy should greatly increase, depending on its average growth rate.

Pruning shears
Rubbing alcohol

Instructions

- 1
  Rinse sharp pruning shears under warm, running water to remove dirt and debris. Wipe the blades with rubbing alcohol and allow them to air dry. This helps reduce the tree’s risk of infection from pruning.
- 2
  Cut away any sprouts growing beside the tree’s trunk, as close to the ground as possible. These are known as suckers; removing the tree’s suckers prevents it from wasting growth energy. The shade produced by a wide canopy prevents the suckers from growing larger.
- 3
  Clip any branches below the tree’s main canopy. For example, if the majority of the branches grow in the upper half of the tree, cut away any growing in the lower half. When you make the cuts, space them about 1 inch from the trunk to avoid damaging it.
- 4
  Remove new, short branches throughout the tree, forcing it to devote energy into growing established branches. This helps grow the canopy of the tree wider, rather than increasing the frequency of the branches.
- 5
  Prune off dead or dying branches throughout the tree, leaving only healthy and undamaged sections. This prevents the tree from expending energy attempting to heal these branches and leaves more to grow the existing canopy wider.

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