Mark does a quick tree pruning demo on a Bradford Pear Tree and some Western Red Cedar. In this demo we see how to prune for disease prevention and beautification using proper pruning techniques.
When to Prune Your Trees
In the Hudson Valley, recommendations will vary on the best time of year to prune your trees. Much depends on the type of pruning you are doing and the species of tree. If you’re unsure, we suggest that you do a little home work online or call a local professional for some friendly advice.
For general light pruning, 10% or less of live growth, any time of year is considered acceptable as long as you are not in a period of draught. However, it’s always considered acceptable to prune dead, damaged and disease ridden limbs during any season.
Proper Tree Pruning Technique
Often times you will find what we call “suckers” or “water sprouts” which can appear all over a tree. For this demonstration, we’re bringing back the champaign glass shape of this columnar-style, Bradford Pear Tree. So we’re targeting the water sprouts appearing along the lower portion of the tree trunk.
Mark shows us the best pruning angle to use for optimal healing. Notice that the cut is made slightly above the branch collar or ridge. Inside this special ridged area, the tree produces a callus to cover the wounded area.
That’s why it’s critical not to cut the cut the collar ridge by pruning flush to the bark.
Remember The One Third Rule For Pruning
When removing plant material always remember to prune down to an area where the closest leaflet or branch is approximately one third of the diameter of the pruned branch diameter.
Have a Question About Tree Pruning?
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