pruning 101 angela belden missouri department of conservation
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Pruning Pruning 101101
Angela BeldenAngela Belden
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, they don’t heal.Wounds cover, they don’t heal.
A tree can only A tree can only “seal” a wound “seal” a wound through through
a process called a process called
compartmentalizaticompartmentalization.on.
General Tree BiologyGeneral Tree Biology
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 New TreesPruning New Trees
Do not remove more than 20% of Do not remove more than 20% of branches at this time.branches at this time.
Remove broken, crossing or rubbing Remove broken, crossing or rubbing branches.branches.
Pruning Young TreesPruning Young Trees
One or two years One or two years after planting, start after planting, start selecting scaffold selecting scaffold branches that have branches that have good vertical and good vertical and horizontal spacing.horizontal spacing.
Pruning Young TreesPruning Young Trees
Wide anglesWide angles
vertical spacingvertical spacing
Radial branch Radial branch distribution distribution
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.
Cut open Cut open view view
showing showing lack of lack of
connective connective tissue at the tissue at the
top of the top of the branch branch union.union.
Pruning ToolsPruning Tools
Pruning tools are either pruner or saw basedPruning tools are either pruner or saw based
PrunersPruners
When to PruneWhen to Prune Generally in dormant Generally in dormant
seasonseason
Birch and Maple may Birch and Maple may “bleed” but not harmful. “bleed” but not harmful. Avoid by pruning in early Avoid by pruning in early winter or late spring.winter or late spring.
Spring flowering trees, Spring flowering trees, prune right after flower.prune right after flower.
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!
Not under cut used. Leaves large pruning wound.Not under cut used. Leaves large pruning wound.
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.
Cut at NodesCut at Nodes
Top 10 Worst Pruning Top 10 Worst Pruning PracticesPractices
10.10. Neglecting a young treeNeglecting a young tree
9.9. Dressing woundsDressing wounds
8.8. Filling cavitiesFilling cavities
7.7. Flush cuttingFlush cutting
6.6. Leaving stubsLeaving stubs5.5. Ignoring included barkIgnoring included bark
4.4. Using the wrong Using the wrong tools for the jobtools for the job
3.3. Over pruningOver pruning
2.2. 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
Angela BeldenResource Forester
Missouri Department of Conservation
4549 State Road HFulton, MO 65251(573) 592-1400 x4