Superior NW Tree and Shrub Care Inc.

"Tree Pruning"

Tree pruning is essential for a variety of reasons:

• to remove diseased or storm-damaged branches
• to thin the crown to permit new growth and better air circulation
• to reduce the height of a tree
• to remove obstructing lower branches
• to shape a tree for design purposes

         Tree pruning is a technique used to control growth, remove dead or diseased wood or stimulate the formation of flowers and fruit buds. Many home fruit growers make the mistake of planting a tree, then neglecting it until it begins to bear. But careful attention to tree pruning and training young trees will ultimately determine their productivity and longevity. Good pruning and training will also prevent later injury from weak crotches that break under snow or fruit load.

        Some fruiting and flowering trees should be pruned at other times of the year, depending on whether they flower on the previous year's growth or not. Large trees aside, there are many tree pruning jobs that you can do on your own. In all cases, the key is to prune the unwanted branch while protecting the stem or trunk wood of the tree. Tree branches grow from stems at nodes and pruning always takes place on the branch side of a stem-branch node. Branches and stems are separated by a lip of tissue called a stem collar which grows out from the stem at the base of the branch. All pruning cuts should be made on the branch side of this stem collar. This protects the stem and the other branches that might be growing from it. It also allows the tree to heal more effectively after the prune.

        The dormant season, late fall or winter, is the best time for tree pruning, although dead branches can and should be removed at any time. Tree pruning during the dormant period minimizes sap loss and subsequent stress to the tree. It also minimizes the risk of fungus infection or insect infestation as both fungi and insects are likely to be in dormancy at the same time as the tree. Finally, in the case of deciduous trees, pruning when the leaves are off will give you a better idea of how your pruning will affect the shape of the tree.