Again we deal here only with pruning young trees less than 20 feet tall. Larger trees should only be pruned by a trained arborist. Pruning involves carefully removing parts of the tree to benefit the entire tree. Pruning allows you to shape tree growth, remove dead or diseased branches, and remove branches or exposed girdling roots that threaten the tree’s overall health by damaging the bark and tender new wood beneath. Neglected trees are often overloaded with a tangle of interior branches and twigs. By cutting most of these out with hand pruners, loppers, or a pruning saw you open the tree to light and air movement
Needled evergreens, such as pines, spruce, and arborvitae, are best pruned only in the first years of growth. They rarely need much pruning because their natural growth habits automatically maintain their pleasing shapes.
For more information see file on Pruning Shade Trees.
For more information see file on Choosing Pruning Tools.