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Chris goes over with Gord the tips and tricks on pruning, along with some good trees that are easy care when it comes to trimming. Guest: Chris Hyde-Lay -- Bartlett Tree Experts Pruning is straightforward for the most part... so there's no need to fear! The Basics for pruning small trees: • The first thing anyone should really do is stand back and envision what they want to see or what they think the tree should look like • You want to first start off with a tree or shrub with a nice single straight leader, and with branches that are evenly spaced from the crown of the trunk all the way down • You also want to have a very good branch angle where the branch actually comes into the trunk of the tree at a 45 to 60 degree angle • If your tree is a little bit full it is recommended to give it a little bit of a thinning so it enhances the architecture, structure, and look of it • To begin with you should start with any diseased, dead, or dying wood and clip it • Then proceed with any crossing branches by removing one of the branches without hindering the actual shape of the tree • When you are removing a branch, remember to really respect what's called a branch collar (a little swelling of tissue where the branch actually meets the stem), it's quite defined and you don't want to violate the branch part, so cut just a little bit on the outside of that (this helps with the whole compartmentalization of the tree itself) Two trees with easy care trimming: • Magnolia trees/shrubs: Does not need a lot of pruning, and pest resistant for the most part • Birch trees: They come from your local nursery with very good form to begin with