How to Prune Totara?

A hardy evergreen indigenous to New Zealand, totara is celebrated for its compact, pyramidal shape and robust timber. Trim totara in late winter to manage its form and dimensions. Employ sharp, sanitized implements to make incisions directly above branch unions, focusing on eliminating deceased or congested branches. Deliberate thinning fosters air circulation and light access, thereby improving development and the tree's well-being. Totara reacts favorably to trimming, frequently yielding vigorous new growth. Refrain from extensive cutting to uphold its inherent beauty.

Advantages of Trimming Totara

Trimming totara promotes more robust development and assists in preserving its desired form. By eliminating dead or overgrown limbs, it enhances light exposure and air movement, leading to a healthier and more visually pleasing specimen.

Optimal Period for Trimming Totara

Trimming totara from late winter to early spring ensures the plant's dormant phase is utilized, minimizing stress and sap loss. This is when the tree is less vulnerable to infections, and the upcoming growth season facilitates rapid healing of pruning wounds. Furthermore, the absence of leaves provides better visibility for precise cuts. Avoid trimming in autumn as it can stimulate new growth susceptible to frost damage.

Required Tools for Trimming Totara

Bypass Hand Pruners

Perfect for making clean cuts on branches up to 1 inch in diameter, crucial for maintaining totara's health

Loppers

Feature long handles that offer leverage for cutting thicker branches, typically up to 2 inches in diameter, essential for shaping totara or removing larger limbs without harming the plant

Pruning Saw

Necessary for cutting branches exceeding 2 inches in diameter, as totara can develop thick, woody stems that require a saw for proper removal

Hedge Shears

Useful for trimming and shaping totara's foliage, especially if grown as a hedge or screen, as these shears allow for uniform and attractive cuts

Pole Pruner

Beneficial for reaching higher branches of totara without needing a ladder, which is safer for the person pruning and reduces the risk of plant damage

Cleaning Solution

To prevent disease transmission, it's vital to clean tools before and after use on totara, particularly if they've been used on other plants

How to Trim Totara

Sanitization

Before trimming totara, disinfect pruning tools with alcohol or a bleach solution to prevent disease spread.

Identification

Examine totara and pinpoint dead or diseased branches. Look for signs such as discolored, brittle, or decaying wood, and branches lacking foliage or signs of life.

Clean Cut

Using sharp and clean shears, make precise cuts to remove dead branches. Cut at a slight angle just above a healthy bud, branch junction, or the main trunk, ensuring no stub is left.

Remove Infected

Carefully remove diseased branches, cutting well below the affected area to ensure all diseased tissue is eliminated. Dispose of these immediately and carefully to prevent contamination.

Final Inspection

After all necessary branches have been removed, conduct a final inspection of totara and clear away all cuttings from the base to promote good health and deter pests.

Common Trimming Errors with Totara

Over-trimming

Removing too much foliage from totara at once can stress the plant, lead to poor growth, or potentially kill it.

Incorrect Cut Placement

Cutting too far from or too close to a bud can harm totara. The cut should be made just above a leaf node where new growth will emerge.

Using Dull Or Dirty Tools

Using tools that are not sharp and clean can cause jagged cuts prone to disease, impacting totara's health.

Trimming Without A Plan

Random or excessive cutting without understanding totara's growth pattern can result in an unbalanced shape and weak structure.

Ignoring Dead Or Diseased Branches

Failing to remove dead or diseased wood can attract pests and diseases, affecting totara's overall health.

General Trimming Advice for Totara

Sterilize Tools

Always use sterilized trimming tools on totara to prevent the spread of disease between plants.

Sharp Cuts

Make clean, sharp cuts to minimize damage to the plant's tissue and promote faster healing for totara.

Trim For Structure

Focus on removing crossing branches and maintaining a strong framework to encourage good air circulation and structural integrity of totara.

Encourage Growth

Trim just above leaf nodes facing the direction you want new growth to go, fostering a desirable shape for totara.

Thinning Over Heading

Opt for thinning cuts (removing entire branches to the point of origin) to maintain the natural form of totara, rather than heading cuts that can stimulate excessive foliage at the expense of the plant’s structure.