Pruning can be used to balance a design by controlling and directing growth into a desired shape.[1][2]:70 [3] Pruning above a leaf node can steer plant growth in the direction of the natural placement of that leaf bud.[4] Pruning may also be used to keep a design free of unwanted branches and to reduce canopy size.[30][34] Pruning is sometimes the only technique used to craft a project. Deciduous trees are mainly pruned in winter,[33]:137 while they are dormant above-ground, although sometimes it is necessary to prune them during the growing season. Trees repeatedly subjected to hard pruning may experience stunted growth, and some trees may not survive this treatment.