Pruning is the process of cutting back a tree or shrub. Done carefully, pruning can increase the yield of fruit; it is thus a common agricultural practice. Foresters and orcharders also prune broken branches, replacing an uneven break--which can be a source of infection and an opening to insect infestation--with smooth cuts, sometimes painted over with tar or other protective substances.
Trees growing near highways or power lines are pruned for safety reasons, and gardeners sometimes prune trees to achieve a desired appearance.
