Which action describes a thinning cut when pruning shrubs?

• A. Remove dead or crossing branches to open the canopy
• B. Remove growing tips to shorten branches
• C. Remove interior growth to create a dense canopy
• D. Prune to a precise square shape

Answer: (C)

Thinning cuts reduce density inside a shrub by removing interior growth back to a larger branch or the trunk, which opens the form and improves light and air movement. Describing the action as removing interior growth fits this approach, because you’re taking out inward-facing or crowded shoots to relieve crowding and promote a balanced structure. The result is a healthier plant with better circulation, rather than a densely packed interior. The other options describe cutting tips to shorten growth (heading), pruning for a specific shape (structural/ornamental shaping), or removing dead/crossing wood for health—actions that don’t specifically emphasize reducing interior density to open the canopy.