Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

Which type of pruning cut typically removes a portion of the stem while retaining terminal buds?

1. Thinning cut

2. Heading cut

3. Reduction cut

4. Structural cut

The correct answer is: Thinning cut

The correct choice involves understanding the difference between various pruning techniques. Thinning cuts are designed to remove entire branches or stems, which helps to open up the canopy and allows more light and air to penetrate. Importantly, these cuts do not remove the terminal buds of the branches being pruned, allowing for continued growth and development in those areas. By removing some of the growth but leaving the terminal buds intact, thinning allows the plant to maintain its natural shape while improving overall health and vigor. This contrasts with other types of cuts. For instance, heading cuts typically remove part of a stem and generally remove the terminal bud, which influences the growth direction and may lead to bushier growth. Reduction cuts reduce the size of a branch or stem but can also impact the plant's structure and growth pattern. Structural cuts focus on shaping the plant’s overall architecture but might not retain terminal buds as effectively as thinning cuts do. Thus, thinning cuts are specifically effective for maintaining the balance of the plant’s growth while enhancing air circulation and light access.