- Here is the best way to prune a living branch
Necessary pruning should be done as soon as can be managed. When pruning large amounts of foliage or more than one third the crown mass, pruning should be avoided during the dry hot months. Dead and diseased wood can be removed anytime. The best time to prune is when the tree or shrub is dormant, usually in the winter months.
Here is the best way to reduce the crown
The images above show the proper way to prune. Images provided courtesy of the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service.
TO PRUNE OR NOT TO PRUNE
Is There A Question?
Shedding or self-pruning is a natural process in which trees and shrubs minimize disease and promote vigor. This occurs when leaves, twigs and branches die, decay and detach from the living tree. Trees identify weak and dying branches and begin the shedding process by walling off the diseased limb. Rot inhibiting cells contain and separate diseased wood from healthy wood. Walled off tree parts are deprived of food and eventually wither and die. The “Containment of Disease in Trees,” or CODIT, was first discovered by Alex Shigo and is the principal behind the “New Tree Biology” employed today. Selective pruning compliments the shedding process to promote healing and renewed vigor in trees and shrubs.
How Do I Decide What To Prune?
Understanding arboriculture is helpful, however, simply follow this priority of pruning and your tree will be grateful.
A) Dead and dying limbs
B) Broken limbs
C) Rubbing and diseased limbs
D) In growing, crossing and suppressed branches
E) Congested or crowded branches
Avoid removing more than one third of the crown mass and please do not top off branches leaving unhealthy stubs.
What is A Proper Pruning Cut?
Make pruning cuts like those illustrated above. And remember when reducing tree size or heading back branches always prune back to a healthy lateral branch and avoid pruning back to a branch smaller than one third the size in diameter of the branch being removed.