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Landscaping Tips

Landscaping Tips

Definitions of Terms

Broad-leaved evergreen — an evergreen plant with broad leaves that are not needle-shaped.

Caliper — refers to the diameter of a tree. In nursery-landscape practice, caliper is measured 6 inches above the ground level up to and including 4-inch diameter size and 12 inches above the ground level for larger sizes.

Candle — refers to early spring growth of pine shoots before needle expansion.

Central leader — the main stem of the tree from which other branches develop. In most cases, it is the trunk.

Crotch — the angle developed between two connecting branches.

Deciduous — plants that normally have leaves only during the growing season and lose their leaves during the dormant season.

Dieback — the dying back of stems due to adverse weather conditions, insects, diseases or other causes.

Dormant — the period of the year when a plant is not growing.

Espalier — to train a plant on a wire or trellis against a wall or other support.

Lateral — a branch originating from the main trunk.

Multiple stemmed plants — plants with more than one stem form the base compared to plants with only a central leader.

Narrow-leaved evergreen — an evergreen plant with leaves that are needle-shaped.

Permanent branch — a branch that is part of the major growth habit of the tree, usually originating from the trunk.

Radial branch spacing — the distribution of branches around the trunk of a tree.

Scaffold branching — a permanent branch originating from the trunk and becoming a part of the major branching or framework of the tree.

Shearing — cutting back plants with hedge shears resulting in a very formal growth habit. Limit shearing to hedges, topiary or where a formal garden is to be maintained.

Sucker — a vigorous shoot originating from root or stem tissue below ground.

Temporary branch — a branch usually originating from the trunk that is removed by pruning after permanent branches have been selected.

Terminal — tip ends of branches.

Thinning — removal of connecting branches to point of origin or shortening the length of a branch by cutting to a lateral.

Training — to dictate the development and growth of a plant by physical means, such as pruning.

Vertical branch spacing — distribution of branches up and down the trunk of a tree.

Water sprout — vigorous shoot arising from the trunk or older branches.

Wound — area where the bark of a plant is cut or damaged.

Wound dressing — a specially formulated material often called pruning paint, which is applied to tree wounds.