Keep Your Pruning Tools Sharp! by Kristina Hughes, Clear Creek County Master Gardener

It's pruning season again! And while it can feel intimidating with complicated rules for when to prune each plant and how to make various kinds of cuts, one of the easiest ways you can be successful with pruning is to make sure your tools are sharp. Why are sharp pruners so important? Whenever you cut your plant, you are making a wound which is an opening in the plant's natural defenses. The wound creates an opportunity for diseases, fungi, bacteria and other pests to enter the plant and cause problems. The good news is you can minimize the damage from these pruning wounds. Make clean cuts Jagged, ragged wounds create more surface area in the nooks and crannies for pathogens to to enter the juicy, live plant tissue just under the bark. In contrast, a nice clean cut is easily compartmentalized by the plant's defense systems. When the cut surface is smooth, the plant can form a protective barrier around the wound and heal much more quickly. Use sharp tools Sharp