In pruning, why is a cut made just above a node?

• A. To encourage new growth from the node and improve healing.
• B. To remove the most growth at once.
• C. To ensure the cut heals slowly to reduce damage.
• D. To reduce photosynthesis immediately.

Answer: (A)

Making the cut just above a node taps into the plant’s natural growth sites. The node is where latent buds and the vascular tissues are located, so leaving that node on the plant allows a bud to break dormancy and start a new shoot once apical dominance is reduced. The cut is placed where living, actively growing tissue remains, which helps the new growth emerge from that node and gives the bud access to water and nutrients through the cambium. At the same time, the wound is small and located at a tissue boundary that can quickly form callus and seal, promoting faster healing and reducing disease risk.