Tree Pruning - A Brief Summary

Tree Pruning - A Brief Summary

Keys to Good Pruning. Begin visual inspection at the top of the tree and work downward. Ideally, main side branches should be at least ? smaller than the diameter of the trunk. For most deciduous (broad leaf) trees, don't prune up from the bottom any more than ? of the tree's total height.

Non-blooming Trees and Shrubs: Prune in late winter while fully dormant. Summer-blooming Trees and Shrubs: Prune in late winter. Spring-blooming Trees and Shrubs: Wait until immediately after they bloom. They are the exception to the rule, but you still should prune them as early as you can.

Dead, damaged, and diseased branches should be removed as soon as possible. Otherwise, the best time to prune is in late winter, early spring, just before the tree begins to open its buds. Some trees, such as maple and dogwood, will bleed sap at this time of year.

Tree First Aid After a Storm:

Don't try to do it all yourself. If large limbs are broken or hanging, or if high climbing or overhead chainsaw work is needed, it's a job for a professional arborist.

o Take safety precautions. 

o Remove any broken branches still attached to the tree. 

o Repair torn bark.

o Resist the urge to overprune. 

o Don't top your trees

References:

Ask an Arborist: The ABC's of Pruning -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQhmIK-0HOc

Large Tree Pruning -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPWz1HezVxg

Tree Pruning Techniques | Urban Tree Service -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGEOtghlDhk

Pruning Young Trees -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxyN5kQk35I

Keys to Good Pruning -- https://www.arborday.org/trees/tips/keys-to-pruning.cfm

The Basics of Tree Pruning - https://www.sdarborists.com/education/The-Basics-of-Tree-Pruning.pdf

How to Prune Trees -- https://www.bhg.com/gardening/trees-shrubs-vines/care/how-to-prune-trees/