pruning 101

Pruning Pruning 101101Ann KoenigAnn Koenig

Missouri Department of Missouri Department of ConservationConservation

General Tree BiologyGeneral Tree Biology

Trees grow from branch tips, not base.Trees grow from branch tips, not base.

General Tree BiologyGeneral Tree Biology

Trees grow from Trees grow from branch tips, not base.branch tips, not base.

Branch unions can Branch unions can form callus tissue.form callus tissue.

General Tree BiologyGeneral Tree Biology

Trees grow from branch tips, not base.Trees grow from branch tips, not base. Branch unions can form callus tissue.Branch unions can form callus tissue. Wounds cover, not heal.Wounds cover, not heal.

General Tree BiologyGeneral Tree Biology

A tree can only A tree can only

““seal”seal”

itself through itself through

a process called a process called

compartmentalization.compartmentalization.

General Tree BiologyGeneral Tree Biology

Trees grow from branch tips, not base.Trees grow from branch tips, not base. Branch unions can form callus tissue.Branch unions can form callus tissue. Wounds cover, not heal.Wounds cover, not heal. Right tree in the right place may need Right tree in the right place may need

little to no pruning once established.little to no pruning once established.

Pruning Young TreesPruning Young TreesRemove branches when young so wounds Remove branches when young so wounds

are small and growth goes into future are small and growth goes into future limbs. Remove:limbs. Remove:

Dead, dying limbsDead, dying limbs Sprouts near baseSprouts near base Crossed branches, branches going throughCrossed branches, branches going through

centercenter Low branchesLow branches Multiple leadersMultiple leaders Narrow unions with included barkNarrow unions with included bark

Inside View of Included BarkInside View of Included Bark

Included bark is Included bark is shown by the shown by the pencil.pencil.

Branches with Branches with included bark included bark should be removed should be removed while the tree is while the tree is young.young.

Narrow unionsNarrow unions

Included Included bark bark

between the between the branch/trunk branch/trunk union.  Note union.  Note the seam or the seam or

"crack" "crack" between the between the

two. two. 

Where to make the Where to make the cutcut

Large limb removalLarge limb removalThe 3 cut methodThe 3 cut method

The undercut did its job!The undercut did its job!

Rule of ThirdsRule of Thirds When pruning a branch, try to bring it back to a When pruning a branch, try to bring it back to a

limb at least 1/3 the diameter of the limb being limb at least 1/3 the diameter of the limb being removed.removed.

Top 10 Worst Pruning Top 10 Worst Pruning PracticesPractices

10.10. Neglecting a young treeNeglecting a young tree

11.11. Dressing woundsDressing wounds

12.12. Filling cavitiesFilling cavities

13.13. Flush cuttingFlush cutting

14.14. Leaving stubsLeaving stubs

15.15. Ignoring included barkIgnoring included bark

16.16. Using wrong tools Using wrong tools

for the jobfor the job

3.3. Over pruningOver pruning

4.4. Not being safeNot being safe

#1 Worst Pruning Practice#1 Worst Pruning Practice

Topping!!!

Why not top trees?Why not top trees?

Injures tree leading Injures tree leading to decayto decay

Resulting shoots are Resulting shoots are weakly attached and weakly attached and easily breakeasily break

Wastes moneyWastes money Creates hazardCreates hazard

Test TimeTest Time

Ann KoenigUrban Forester

Missouri Department of Conservation

1907 Hillcrest DriveColumbia, MO 65201

(573) 884-6861Ann.Koenig@mdc.mo.gov