How to prune trees

How to prune trees

LUKE
View the video

How to prune trees

View the video
×

Project Overview

Pruning can help your trees to grow strong and keep a good shape. Another reason to prune is to remove damaged branches, which allows for new growth and helps prevent viral, bacterial and fungal infections from entering the tree. We’ll show you how to prune correctly and how to avoid damaging the tree.
Continue to step-by-step instructions

Step by Step Instructions

1 Trim smaller branches with secateurs
2 Cut medium branches with your handsaw
3 Prune hard to reach branches
4 Prune thicker branches with loppers
5 Cut thicker branches using an undercut

  • Step 1. Trim smaller branches with secateurs

    Before you start put on your safety glasses and gloves. Secateurs are like spring-loaded scissors and have a locking system to keep the blades shut while you’re not using them.

    Start by cutting off small branches near the base of the tree. You can also use the secateurs for low hanging small branches. 

    Previous Step Next Step
    Trim smaller branches from a tree with secateurs

  • Step 2. Cut medium branches with your handsaw

    Ideally the blade on your handsaw will be very sharp, so it’s important to work carefully. You can use a handsaw to cut any protruding or lower level branches too big for the secateurs. Cut the branch off close to the tree trunk and avoid cutting the main trunk. Make sure you cut the branch on an angle that protrudes slightly off the trunk.

    Previous Step Next Step
    Cut big branches with a handsaw

  • Step 3. Prune hard to reach branches

    Use your pole pruner’s lever action to cut hard to reach branches. For thicker branches, there are attachments for the pole pruner, including a saw, that you can also be used to cut branches higher in the tree. 

    Previous Step Next Step
    Man using pole pruner to reach high in the tree

  • Step 4. Prune thicker branches with loppers

    Loppers are like giant secateurs used for pruning big branches. They are designed to give you more leverage and makes it a lot easier to cut through thicker branches. 
    Previous Step Next Step
    Man using loppers to prune thicker branches

  • Step 5. Cut thicker branches using an undercut

    Undercuts are used to remove large branches, that if you cut it from the top, the weight would snap it off. This can lead to tears in the bark and expose the tree to diseases. To undercut, start under the branch and saw upwards until you have cut halfway through. Then saw down from the top of the branch, starting about 3-5 cm up from the undercut. Keep sawing until the weight of the branch pulls it away from the tree. Tidy up the tree by cutting from the top of the remaining branch, away from the trunk, all the way through.

    Previous Step Next Step
    Use an undercut to cut thicker branches

Tools and Materials

Tools

  • Handsaw
  • Folding pruner
  • Gloves
  • Loppers
  • Pole pruner
  • Safety glasses
  • Secateurs

More D.I.Y. Advice

How to build a garden bed 05:37

Planting & Growing How to build a garden bed Transform your outdoor area by learning how to build a garden bed. It’s easy to do, just follow our step-by-step guide.

philodendron

Planting & Growing Discover 13 plants that are the best for indoors Striking foliage and stunning colour isn’t just reserved for the garden. There’s a wide variety of indoor plants you can use to bring colour and life to your home explains Bunnings Greenlife buyer Katrina Gatt.

Person planting spinach 03:11

Planting & Growing How to grow vegetables Watch our step-by-step guide and find out everything you need to know about how to grow fresh vegetables in your garden.

Person trimming the hedge with battery shears 01:28

Planting & Growing How to trim hedges Hedges are an excellent way to add shape to your garden. Here are a couple of tips to effectively trim and maintain a hedge.

Person putting on protective edging on the raised garden bed 01:38

Planting & Growing How to build a raised garden bed Building a raised garden bed is a simple project you can do yourself. Learn how to build a raised garden bed with this guide from Bunnings Warehouse.

Person adding compost and manure to the soil 02:01

Planting & Growing How to improve sandy soil Good soil is the foundation for any healthy garden. We can show you how to improve sandy soil to retain more nutrients and water.

succulents

Planting & Growing How to plant and care for succulents Succulents come in a huge range of colours, shapes and sizes, will grow just about anywhere and don’t need much looking after, making them a plant that’s perfect for even the most novice gardener. If you’re new to succulents, here are some tips from...

Person cutting the corrugated edging 03:08

Planting & Growing How to install garden edging Garden edging can help to make your garden beds look neat and tidy. We’ll show you how to install plastic or corrugated garden edging around your garden.

hydrangea

Planting & Growing How to create an allergy-friendly garden If you suffer from hay fever or other allergies, then being out in the garden can, at times, be less than enjoyable. But there are some steps you can take to create an allergy-friendly garden so you can spend more time gardening and less time sneezi...

pallet coffee table

Outdoor Living Five D.I.Y. ideas to update your outdoors Autumn is a great time of the year to tick off a few D.I.Y. projects from your to-do list. Here are a few good ideas to get you started.

pot

Planters How to choose the right plant pot Pots are a great way to add colour, interest or texture to your outdoor space. Tuscan Path’s Elaine Foster shares her top tips on how to choose the perfect pot.

sunflower

Planting & Growing How to plant and care for sunflowers Sunflowers are a great way to add colour to your garden, and they’re easy to grow and care for. Bunnings Greenlife buyer Katie explains the basics of how to grow sunflowers and shares some tips on how to care for them.

orchid

Planting & Growing How to care for orchids Orchids are a low-maintenance flower that can be grown indoors or outside in a protected location. And, with a little care, they will provide you with lots of colour.

paint

Guides & Projects How to upcycle almost anything with paint Rather than throwing out old household items, you can restore them with paint. It’s a quick, easy and affordable way to give anything from furniture to fences a new lease on life. Learn how to paint and prepare different surfaces to get the finish y...

DIY balcony and courtyard garden

Planters D.I.Y. balcony and courtyard garden Even if your outdoor space is limited to a balcony or courtyard, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on having a garden. The team at Tuscan Path, who have been supplying pots to the Australian marketplace for over 40 years, share some ideas on how ...

kitchen benchtop materials

Benchtops & Cabinets A guide to kitchen benchtop materials The perfect benchtop will add style to any kitchen. It’ll also see the most action, so choosing the right benchtop for your kitchen – and budget – is an important decision explains Bunnings Kitchen Designer Ben Carey.

Top of the content