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ABOUT PRUNING

A Few Important Hints

It goes without saying that to prune the proper way requires a
basic knowledge of the anatomy, biology and, yes, mechanics of
that living being - the tree.  Otherwise you will have weakened,
diseased and, later on, hazardous, pest infected trees.
TIPPING,  means removing the tips all the way around the tree;
remember that this also implies removing proteins or the
precursors.
TOPPING,  as it often is practiced is really mutilation.  We starve
the roots when we remove the tops which supply their FOOD. 
This may  later lead to root rot.
POLLARDING,  mean establishing the framework i.e. the size and
shape of a tree.  This has to be begun when the tree is young and
repeated yearly by removing the sprouts without injuring the
swollen areas and without leaving a stub.  It is not only tree care,
it is an art and avoids later improper tipping or topping.
Appropriate SHAPING involves removal of crossing branches
within the crown and the pruning of 
V-crotches i.e. removal of the lesser limb of the V and
preservation of the dominant one.  This avoids later "including of
the bark", a site for wound infection.

This leads us to the concepts of DOSE, TIMING and NATURAL
TARGETS.  Just as you can only add an appropriate amount of
water and elements, there is also an appropriate amount , a dose,
of tree which you can remove at a given time.  A young tree with
its very thin periderm and cortex can be pruned a hundred percent
i.e. close to the ground, as is done in nurseries.  A sprout from a
new site will then grow from the stump.  There is no dead wood
shedding in a young tree but as the tree matures only the dead
wood should be removed.  Natural targets such as the branch
collars should be left in place without leaving a stub.
The fact that there are three crowns to a tree adjusts it to the
weather.  The innermost crown functions when it is hot, and the
outermost when it is cool.  And then there is an intermediate zone. 
Thus one should be aware of the possibility of overpruning, the
real reason for what is often called sun scold, frost cracks, pests
and lightening.
Ref. Many books on pruning by DR. ALEX L. SHIGO ( PHONE #
603-868-7459 )

95/10/21

John A. Keslick Jr.
Professional Modern Arborist

Keslick & Son
Modern Arboriculture
Products & Service
610-696-5353
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John A. Keslick Jr.              There is no scientific data to show
Professional Modern Arborist     that TRUNK WRAPS prevent heat or
& Tree Biologist                 cold injuries.  Nor is there any 
Phone: 610-696-5353              data to show that WOUND DRESSINGS
organic tree treatment web site: stop rot.  There is data to show that
http://www.ccil.org/~treeman/    that both can cause decline of
>                                the trees vitality. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\//////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\