Q: What is the right way to prune a tree? Can all trees be pruned?

M.L., Sweetwater

A: Trees, including fruit and flowering trees can be pruned. The pruning cut is critical as well as the amount of branches and foliage removed. No more than 25 percent of the foliage should be removed when pruning trees, and avoid removing large branches (thicker than two inches) unless it's unavoidable. Most trees should be trained early to have one main trunk (called a central leader). Broken or crossed branches, those with a narrow crotch angle and water sprouts should be removed.

Trees should never be hatracked or overlifted since these practices can shorten the life of the tree and weaken branches. Hatracking is severe pruning and is illegal in many counties, and overlifting is when many of the lower branches have been removed. Cuts should not be flush with the trunk or left with a stub, and pruning sealants are not needed and can be detrimental.

Minor pruning can be done at any time but fruit trees should be pruned right after harvest and flowering trees right after the blooming season has ended. To learn more about pruning, check out this publication: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG087.

INSECT SAMPLES

Send undamaged (live or dead) insects in a crush-proof container such as a pill bottle or film canister with the top taped on. Mail them in a padded envelope or box with a brief note explaining where you found the insects.

Do not tape insects to paper or place them loose in envelopes. Insect fragments or crushed insect samples are almost impossible to identify.

Send them to the address of your county extension office, found in the blue pages in the phone book under county government.

Adrian Hunsberger is an entomologist/horticulturist with the UF/IFAS Miami-Dade Extension office. Write to Plant Clinic, 18710 SW 288th St., Homestead, FL 33030; e-mail aghu@ifas.ufl.edu.