Here in Kentucky the best time to prune trees is during the month of February. (You can check with your local extension office for the best time in your area. Usually, the time is at the end of winter before the leaves start budding out.) Pruning is an important part of tree maintenance. It helps shape the tree plus can prevent disease. Yesterday, I started the task here. We were having an unseasonable warm day even for here in Kentucky. This is the procedure that I use here at our house.
First, I look at the tree shape as a whole. Does it need to go up higher from the ground? Does the tree have a good general shape or are there branches that are out of the general shape of the tree? These are the first branches that I remove.
Next, I look for branches that are touching or crossing over each other (or have the potential to do that). Touching branches are a good place for disease to harbor since it does not provide for good air circulation. I then cut out branches to solve these problem areas.
The last thing I look for are "suckers", small little branches coming out of base of tree trunk or growing straight up. These need to be trimmed because they do not support the tree in its manufacture of nutrients.
Some general principles.
1) Cut tree branch using sharp never dull clippers and pruning saws.
2) Cut at collar of branch (thick part of branch next to tree). These areas have natural enzymes to help tree heal itself from the cut. Closer in from collar will damage branch attached to it. Further out leaves raw, dead wood that is prime for termites and disease. If you have cut it at the correct place, you will see what looks like a "donut hole" the following year where it was trimmed. This is the tree naturally healing itself.
3) High branches should be left for people who know what they are doing. You should not have to prune too much though if you have trimmed tree from little on up.
4) Do not prune more than 25% of a tree in a season. It causes too much stress on the tree and decreases its disease resistance.
Start on some of your smaller trees and work up to bigger trees Most people can do simple pruning as long as they follow the correct techniques. Happy pruning!
First, I look at the tree shape as a whole. Does it need to go up higher from the ground? Does the tree have a good general shape or are there branches that are out of the general shape of the tree? These are the first branches that I remove.
Next, I look for branches that are touching or crossing over each other (or have the potential to do that). Touching branches are a good place for disease to harbor since it does not provide for good air circulation. I then cut out branches to solve these problem areas.
The last thing I look for are "suckers", small little branches coming out of base of tree trunk or growing straight up. These need to be trimmed because they do not support the tree in its manufacture of nutrients.
Some general principles.
1) Cut tree branch using sharp never dull clippers and pruning saws.
2) Cut at collar of branch (thick part of branch next to tree). These areas have natural enzymes to help tree heal itself from the cut. Closer in from collar will damage branch attached to it. Further out leaves raw, dead wood that is prime for termites and disease. If you have cut it at the correct place, you will see what looks like a "donut hole" the following year where it was trimmed. This is the tree naturally healing itself.
3) High branches should be left for people who know what they are doing. You should not have to prune too much though if you have trimmed tree from little on up.
4) Do not prune more than 25% of a tree in a season. It causes too much stress on the tree and decreases its disease resistance.
Start on some of your smaller trees and work up to bigger trees Most people can do simple pruning as long as they follow the correct techniques. Happy pruning!
.bmp)
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