Tree Pruning Methods and Techniques
What is Tree Pruning?
Pruning is a horticulture procedure common and vital for tree maintenance. Most forest trees grow remarkably well with nature’s pruning but some other trees like residential trees require more intensive care to grow their structural integrity.
It is essential to know the right pruning procedure as improper pruning can forever damage and ruin a tree and its growth.Pruning basically involves a very selective and careful removal of certain parts of a plant, for example roots, branches and buds.
The process of pruning targets the removal of defective, dead, rotten, flimsy and non-productive tissue from the plants. It is easier for plants to distinguish small cuts or wounds and to protect those parts from further decay and damage. It is ideal to make small cuts rather than removing large branches from adult trees.
A few plants such as grapevines, fruit producing trees, and roses require specialized pruning procedures. Since the limbs of these plants hold them up, it is vital to keep them intact. A natural self-pruning process called abscission also takes place with certain conditions such as ice, snow, wind and salinity.
Why is Tree Pruning Important?
Pruning is one of the most important and vital processes in a tree’s life. Preventing safety hazards is one reason for pruning. Cutting tree branches forms a strong tree structure and avoids low growing branches from falling and causing safety hazards during storms.
Pruning also aids in activating tree growth in infrequent growth areas and hampers growth in unwanted areas. A key reason for pruning is the tree’s health. The removal of dead, damaged and diseased parts of the tree prevents decay and keeps away from insects. It also provides food and water for the tree.
When to Prune?
Commonly pruning small branches and dead parts of a tree can be done at any time of the year with no effect to the tree. However at the end of the day pruning does relay on the species of the tree.
Some trees such as Mesquite and Maple tend to bleed from cuts so it’s better to prune them during their period of active growth so that they can heal more quickly and with minimum damage.
Other trees that reside primarily in the northern hemisphere should not be autumn pruned as decay fungi and many diseases and bacteria are ample in this time of the year.
Woody plants that flower early in the season such as apples should be pruned right after flowering happens so that flowering is not affected in the following year. Lilacs, Azaleas and Forsythia are also examples of this type.
Trees that are prone to diseases, such as Oak Wilt, should not be pruned during active transmission duration as pruning wounds allow access to pathogens.
Trees that are prone to diseases, such as Oak Wilt, should not be pruned during active transmission duration as pruning wounds allow access to pathogens.
Tree Pruning Method and Techniques
There are several methods to tree pruning but there are four basic methods.
Raising: Raising means “raising the crown”, which means getting rid of some of the lower branches of the trees to clear view for buildings and signs. It accommodates more urban environments. It’s done when trees come in the way of human structures.
Reduction: Reduction is the practice of selective cutting to decrease height and speed of a tree. It focuses on skillfully reducing stems. It is mainly done to improve the aesthetic of the tree and as well as to clear plantation from buildings and to avoid safety hazards.
Reduction requires a lot of skills and an in-depth knowledge of the tree’s biology. It is also vital to keep in mind that not all trees and shrubs are adept to reduction pruning so the type, species and health of the tree should be considered.
Thinning: Thinning is done for providing sunlight infiltration and air flow. The method is done on overgrown trees. It is done by decreasing the edge of the crown. The best way is to only cut 15–20% of the tree foliage and only cut branches that are 2 inches thick.
Cleaning: Cleaning is the simple act of removing all dead and unwanted wood from the tree. Cleaning is the most preferred method for adult trees as it does not cut unnecessary branches.
There are other methods and procedures that aren’t acceptable as they can severely injure trees and stunt their growth.
Topping: Topping is when major and thick tree branches and limbs are severely and haphazardly cut leaving large stubs. It is the most harmful pruning practice and yet it is still a very common practice.
Lion’s tailing: Lion’s Tailing is removing a lot of inner branches from the tree.
Rooster-tailing: Lower fronds being removed during over-thinning of palms is rooster tailing.
Key to good pruning
It is very easy to ruin and damage a tree during pruning so there are a few key steps to follow in ensuring perfect pruning. Being with visually inspecting the tree and work from top to bottom. Always follow the 1/3 and ¼ rules of pruning. Make sure to not remove more than ¼ of the tree’s crown and the side branches should be smaller than the diameter of the trunk by 1/3. It is ideal for most tree types to have only a single trunk. Do not worry about pruning cuts and wounds, for the look you can always paint on top, but it will not prevent insects and decay. Make sure your tools are sharp for better results. Big trees should only be pruned by professionals. You can make use of a pole pruner for higher branches.
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