Tree pruning is the most common tree maintenance procedure. Tree pruning is often desirable or necessary to remove dead branches, improve tree structure, enhance vigor, or maintain safety. Improper pruning can cause damage which continues for the life of the tree.
Removing foliage from a tree has two distinct effects in its growth . Removing leaves reduces Photosynthesis and may reduce overall growth , which can create a dwarfing effect. Therefore every cut or branch that is removed should be removed for a reason.
The best time to prune tree's depends on the desired results. As a rule, growth is maximized if pruning is done just before the period of rapid growth, in early spring. Plant growth can be reduced if pruning takes place soon after growth flush is complete. Trees that bloom such as Crepe Myrtle are best pruned in winter, prior to leaf emergence, or in late summer after bloom has occurred.
Pruning Cuts.
Each cut should have a purpose and be made carefully , at the correct location, leaving a smooth surface with not jagged edges or torn bark. A Properly made undercut will eliminate the chance of branch peeling or tearing.
Structural Pruning
Structural pruning is used when pruning young trees or a tree that has not been pruned in many years. Branches that have narrow angles of attachment and codominant branches may tend to break at the point of attachment. This is called Included Bark . Included bark is bark that gets enclosed inside the crotch as the two branches develop. This weakens the branch attachment , making the tree more prone to storm damage.
Pruning Mature Trees
Various methods and techniques of pruning mature trees are used by Arborists. These include deadwooding, Crown cleaning, thinning , crown reduction, crown restoration and raising. Lion tailing which is caused by removing all of the inner laterals and foliage should be avoided. as for topping which is very bad for the tree and can kill a tree in some circumstances. Regardless of the pruning techniques used , avoid removing more then one third of the foliage .
Wound dressings.
Wound dressings were once thought to accelerate wound closure , protect against insects, and diseases, and reduce decay. However research has shown that dressings do not reduce decay or prevent insect or disease penetration. Some studies have shown beneficial effects in specific cases in reducing borer attack and oak wilt infection. However , wound dressings are primarily used for cosmetic purposes, and only a light coating of a non- phytotoxic material is applied
A Pruning technique That is important to be discussed it the pruning of Palm Trees. This is a important pruning practice especially here in Florida , There is little data on this subject , which is really surprising. Although the University of Florida has fortunately provided some good information on this subject . As I drive around and look at palms I can tell you that a lot of palms are being Overpruned. They are being stripped of almost all of there food supply, which is green fronds in the name of what's being called HURRICANE PRUNING. This type of pruning is very bad for the palm and does nothing but promote rapid growth spurts , and can cause nutrient deficiency's , diseases, and or death over a period of time. Palm tree's like other tree's require maintenance . Which means that every 6 to 9 months they are going to need the seeds removed and the brown or dying fronds removed. In an effort to avoid cost for maintaining them, People will remove almost all of the fronds in order " They Think" to keep from having to trim them regularly. Well just the opposite is true. They will grow faster to try to replace the fronds that they lost . And pretty soon the palm is fifty feet tall and will be tremendously costly to trim . Not only does over pruning cause this vicious cycle of growth but there are also a lot of animals and Birds, Squirrels other rodents that use the palm to build there homes .
In closing I would like to Thank the University of Florida for the information I have received from them on the subject of Proper Pruning and also the International Society of Arboriculture. And to remind everyone out there to think about what you are pruning and how it affects the tree, and try to have a reason for every cut.
Removing foliage from a tree has two distinct effects in its growth . Removing leaves reduces Photosynthesis and may reduce overall growth , which can create a dwarfing effect. Therefore every cut or branch that is removed should be removed for a reason.
The best time to prune tree's depends on the desired results. As a rule, growth is maximized if pruning is done just before the period of rapid growth, in early spring. Plant growth can be reduced if pruning takes place soon after growth flush is complete. Trees that bloom such as Crepe Myrtle are best pruned in winter, prior to leaf emergence, or in late summer after bloom has occurred.
Pruning Cuts.
Each cut should have a purpose and be made carefully , at the correct location, leaving a smooth surface with not jagged edges or torn bark. A Properly made undercut will eliminate the chance of branch peeling or tearing.
Structural Pruning
Structural pruning is used when pruning young trees or a tree that has not been pruned in many years. Branches that have narrow angles of attachment and codominant branches may tend to break at the point of attachment. This is called Included Bark . Included bark is bark that gets enclosed inside the crotch as the two branches develop. This weakens the branch attachment , making the tree more prone to storm damage.
Pruning Mature Trees
Various methods and techniques of pruning mature trees are used by Arborists. These include deadwooding, Crown cleaning, thinning , crown reduction, crown restoration and raising. Lion tailing which is caused by removing all of the inner laterals and foliage should be avoided. as for topping which is very bad for the tree and can kill a tree in some circumstances. Regardless of the pruning techniques used , avoid removing more then one third of the foliage .
Wound dressings.
Wound dressings were once thought to accelerate wound closure , protect against insects, and diseases, and reduce decay. However research has shown that dressings do not reduce decay or prevent insect or disease penetration. Some studies have shown beneficial effects in specific cases in reducing borer attack and oak wilt infection. However , wound dressings are primarily used for cosmetic purposes, and only a light coating of a non- phytotoxic material is applied
A Pruning technique That is important to be discussed it the pruning of Palm Trees. This is a important pruning practice especially here in Florida , There is little data on this subject , which is really surprising. Although the University of Florida has fortunately provided some good information on this subject . As I drive around and look at palms I can tell you that a lot of palms are being Overpruned. They are being stripped of almost all of there food supply, which is green fronds in the name of what's being called HURRICANE PRUNING. This type of pruning is very bad for the palm and does nothing but promote rapid growth spurts , and can cause nutrient deficiency's , diseases, and or death over a period of time. Palm tree's like other tree's require maintenance . Which means that every 6 to 9 months they are going to need the seeds removed and the brown or dying fronds removed. In an effort to avoid cost for maintaining them, People will remove almost all of the fronds in order " They Think" to keep from having to trim them regularly. Well just the opposite is true. They will grow faster to try to replace the fronds that they lost . And pretty soon the palm is fifty feet tall and will be tremendously costly to trim . Not only does over pruning cause this vicious cycle of growth but there are also a lot of animals and Birds, Squirrels other rodents that use the palm to build there homes .
In closing I would like to Thank the University of Florida for the information I have received from them on the subject of Proper Pruning and also the International Society of Arboriculture. And to remind everyone out there to think about what you are pruning and how it affects the tree, and try to have a reason for every cut.
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