Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

Which statement is true regarding heading-back and thinning-out pruning methods?

1. Heading cuts usually remove entire branches and leave no buds.

2. Thinning cuts leave behind a good portion of the stem and many axillary buds.

3. Heading cuts remove a portion of the stem and only terminal buds are left.

4. Thinning cuts are made close to a main branch and few axillary buds are left.

The correct answer is: Thinning cuts are made close to a main branch and few axillary buds are left.

The statement that is true regarding heading-back and thinning-out pruning methods is that thinning cuts leave behind a good portion of the stem and many axillary buds. Thinning-out pruning is specifically designed to encourage new growth by maintaining the structure of the plant while removing older branches or stems. This method enhances airflow and light penetration, which is beneficial for the overall health of the plant, allowing for better growth and vitality. With thinning cuts, the cuts are strategically made close to a main branch or at a lateral branch, which helps preserve the remaining growth points, or axillary buds, on the stem. This is essential for encouraging new growth in the areas where the cut is made, leading to a denser and healthier plant. In contrast, the other statements are incorrect because they misrepresent the nature of the cuts made during heading-back or thinning-out alike. For instance, heading cuts remove a portion of the stem but do not entirely eliminate it or remove all buds, as they leave behind new growth points to encourage branching.