- 1). Examine the tree closely to determine if it has an interior dead zone. Many alpine trees such as arborvitae or juniper have an exterior growth so thick that light cannot penetrate them. This region of the tree is known as a live zone. Closer to the tree's trunk, the branches will not sprout vegetation. The inner zone is known as a dead zone. If you prune deeply into the tree and expose the dead zone, the region will not grow vegetation. You must confine your pruning to the live zone.
- 2). Look over the tree to determine its shape. The desirable shape for most alpine trees is a conical shape. You should prune your tree to maintain this shape. Topping trees disturbs the shape and stunts the tree's growth. You should also avoid shearing trees unless you are creating topiary. Shearing creates an unnatural shape.
- 3). Clean your tools prior to using them by wiping them in a cloth soaked with a solution of 10 percent bleach. This will help to prevent the spread of diseases.
- 4). Remove any limbs that are dead, diseased or broken back to the nearest outward-facing bud. If you must remove a limb into the tree's dead zone, remove the branch entirely.
- 5). Remove large branches by making three cuts in the limb. The first cut should be in the underside of the tree limb a few inches out from the fork in the tree's limb. The second should start in the top of the tree limb a few inches beyond the first cut. The second cut should extend from the top of the tree through to the bottom. Make the third cut at an angle starting at the growth ridge in the fork of the tree and extending downward.
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