Q . Where should pruning cuts be made above the node, below a node, or between the nodes on a plant. Ruth Derby – Paden City, WV
A. Pruning cuts below the nodes are too low, pruning cuts between cuts are too high and pruning cuts above the node are, to quote a famous fairly tale character “just right”. Your goal when making a pruning cut is to leave as little extra wood above the new growing point as possible. Pruning just above the new node (or growing point) leaves less non-growing stem that the plant has to defend against bacterial and fungal infections. The small nub above the new growing point can be sealed off. Often on shrubs and roses the pruning cut is made on a slight angle to allow water from rain and irrigation to run off of the cut surface. A horizontal cut can allow water to accumulate. As little as a drop can promote and favor bacterial and fugal infections. Also using a bypass pruner like the Fiskar PowerGear hand pruner, is better than anvil type pruner since the cuts on bypass pruners are much cleaner. Anvil pruners tend to crush stems and are better for cutting dead wood and branches down.