What is the purpose of directional pruning?

Directional pruning is a horticultural technique aimed at guiding or controlling the growth of a tree or shrub in a specific direction. This approach is particularly effective in shaping the plant, allowing for more favorable growth patterns that can enhance light exposure, air circulation, and overall structure. By strategically removing or trimming branches, the practitioner can encourage the tree to grow in a desirable direction, which can be beneficial for both aesthetic purposes and the health of the plant.

The other options reflect misunderstandings of pruning objectives. Removing all branches from a tree would severely compromise its health and growth potential, while encouraging random growth patterns goes against the controlled approach that directional pruning entails. Improving overall tree height is not a primary goal of this technique; instead, it focuses on shaping growth direction to achieve specific outcomes in the plant's development.