A well-planned pruning strategy is essential for maintaining the health, appearance and structural integrity of a tree. Pruning includes removing dead twigs and branches, thinning the crown to improve air movement and light penetration and shortening large limbs that hang too low.
In the early stages of a young tree, it is important to select and retain the dominant stem that will become the main trunk of the plant. Structural pruning identifies and removes competing stems that could form multiple leaders, weakening the tree at maturity. This type of pruning is performed on all trees, regardless of size and species.
It is a good idea to make a cut into the underside of a limb before cutting it from the top, as this prevents bark stripping. The first cut should be made within 6 inches of the branch collar (swollen and rough area around the base of a trunk), cutting a quarter to a third upward through the limb. A second cut is then made from the top downward, several inches away from the first cut, cutting down until the limb breaks free. The resulting stub is removed with the third cut, which should be positioned an inch or more outward from the previous cuts to allow for proper callus formation.
After pruning, it is recommended to water the wounds of the branches or twigs that were removed to help the tree quickly heal. It is also helpful to apply a saturator, which is a mixture of water and fertilizer, to the exposed limbs to promote root growth.
A saturator can be purchased from many hardware stores and home centers. It should be sprayed on the entire surface of the limb or twig after each pruning session to ensure that it is thoroughly saturated. The saturator should then be lightly rubbed into the cuts, removing any excess fluid. A saturator can also be applied after a rain shower to help reduce the amount of fluid lost from the swollen wounds.
Avoid using tarlike wound dressings on pruned limbs, which can prevent the formation of callus tissue and trap moisture that encourages rot. Most arborists now apply tarlike wound dressings only for special purposes, such as preventing the spread of oak wilt disease or to discourage beetles from attacking and spreading tree diseases.
When thinning a tree, it is important to remove all rubbing or crossing branches, those that are encroaching on each other and those that are dead or dying. This specialized technique is best performed by an experienced arborist and will help to improve the health and longevity of the tree.
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