Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist Practice Exam

What is one reason to prune shrubs and trees?

1. To increase height

2. To encourage healthy growth and shape

3. To eliminate all leaves

4. To prevent flowering

The correct answer is: To encourage healthy growth and shape

Pruning shrubs and trees is primarily done to encourage healthy growth and shape. This practice helps maintain the plant's structural integrity while promoting new growth and foliage. By selectively removing certain branches, you can direct the plant's energy to healthier shoots and improve overall air circulation and light exposure within the canopy. This can also lead to stronger branches, a more aesthetically pleasing shape, and improved flowering or fruiting in many species. In contrast, other options suggest actions that are either counterproductive or not standard horticultural practices. For instance, increasing height is not typically a goal of pruning; rather, it often involves managing size. Eliminating all leaves would severely harm the plant and is not a recommended practice, as leaves are vital for photosynthesis. Preventing flowering is not usually a reason for pruning as flowering is a natural part of a plant's life cycle, and many gardeners actually prune to encourage blooming.