Feeling angry? Frustrated at a three-hour wait important to them? Try pruning.
Contrary to popular gardening wisdom, it’s not best to prune in winter. The winter scar you leave takes longer to heal, and the more time the scar is raw, the greater the chance of an infection that will slowly travel down to the roots and kill your tree. You can see this happen: an ominous line of black travels down from the cut area all the way down the trunk.
Prune in spring, so the scar mends quickly. Spring pruning also delays flowering so that your new growth is less likely to be cut by frost.
The best time of all to prune is when you are feeling obstreperous. Yell “off with their heads!” with every chop and feel your fury dissipate, though it’s best not to do this when the kids or neighbours can hear.
Grab the secateurs, small or large, or even a sturdy serrated bread or steak knife if you only have a patio’s growth to prune. I adore my tiny chainsaw attached to a very large handle, which can be extended from 1m to 2m to reach the tallest branches.
If you’re buying a single pruning tool, I recommend long-handled, larger secateurs. They’ll cut small twigs as well as larger branches. Get the best quality you can find — the cheap aluminium ones only last a few years and blunt easily. Mine are about 40 years old and still have a good sharp blade. If you have a dozen or more roses or peach trees to prune, or have aching or arthritic hands, buy a small