Trees may be pruned and trained to control their shape and size, maintain their vigour and in some cases, to improve ornamental qualities such as foliage size or stem colour. Young trees in particular benefit from regular training and pruning to ensure that they develop a well balanced framework of branches. However, in general, once mature, the majority of trees only need pruning if any of their branches are dead, dying, diseased, inconveniently placed or sprouting too low down the trunk.

In this section, you'll find information and advice on pruning deciduous, evergreen and fruit trees, along with guide to pollarding and coppicing trees to restrict their size or to increase their ornamental qualities. There's also a handy step-by-step guide to cutting down tree branches.