When a plant needs pruning, why does the cutting angle and whether the plant is pruned just above or just below the node (or bud) make any difference?

robboy

This article deals with roses, but is fairly applicable to most any shrub. The idea of the angle cut is to provide a difficult surface for water, dust and borers to have available to do their damage. You want to prune just above a bud, leaving a very small amount of stem for the above items, plus it looks more tidy to not have long, scraggly stem ends on the plant. http://doityourself.com/flowers/gotroses.htm Mar 06 06, 9:29 PM

lindarandell

above the node at an angle. Above so the node can shoot and at an angle so that the rain drains down and not into the cut. Mar 22 06, 8:16 AM