How to Grow and Care For Your 250+ Year Old Tree, Part 2 of 5
by Rachel and Odis Sisk
Why Proper Pruning Matters

Tree Pruning is an art using science.  Proper Pruning increases your tree's lifespan.

Help avoid decay, disease, and tree failures by pruning properly.

  Trees close off their wounds for protection.  Trees don't heal. 

Any cuts to the tree = damage to the tree.

Proper pruning is a must.  All cuts, or any other type of damage, to the tree must be targeted. There needs to be a good reason that the benefits outweigh the damage to the tree. When all the damage is added together, it must be at an acceptable threshold that it will not cause tree decline.   
  
   Pruning is necessary to:

   

• maintain aesthetics
• reduce hazards
• encourage proper structure
• reduce canopy weight or density

All proper pruning is performed with non-invasive climbing techniques. 

- The Good -



   Improper cuts that have difficulty closing leave an easy opening for insects, fungus, and other pathogens to enter the tree causing stress and decline.   A   A



A common type of pruning to reduce hazards is Deadwood Pruning, shown below.  This can be done during any time of the year.  Other pruning is done when the tree is dormant.  3 Good Reasons to Prune During Dormancy



A good pruning job is when a stranger could look at your tree and not tell anything was done.  Compare this to the obvious damage below:

- The Bad -



Risky Business:

• Using spikes to prune
• Topping
• Leaving stubs or rips
• Taking too large of cuts
• Taking too many cuts
• Flush cutting
• Using unqualified landscapers

Read more on our blog for 9 Things Tree Spikers Won't Tell You.

Pruning is not only for hazards, but for prevention and for creating strong trees as well.

For ex: structural pruning could have prevented this.




Visit our website, www.GlobalTreePreservation.com to see the different types of pruning we provide.

And last, but not least from The Good, The Bad, and

- The Ugly -



What you can do to protect the longevity of your trees.
1.  Soil Decompaction - Discussed in Summer 2012 Edition
2.  Proper Pruning -  This edition.
The following Preservation Reports will discuss the last 3 tips to care for your 250+ year old tree.
3.  Mulching - Next Edition, Winter 2013
4.  Watering
5.  Not Physically damaging the tree