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About Pruning



ABOUT PRUNING

A Few Important Hints

It goes without saying that to prune the proper way requires a basic
knowledge of the anatomy, biology and, yes, mechanics of that
living being - the tree.  Otherwise you will have weakened, diseased
and, later on, hazardous, pest infected trees.
TIPPING,  means removing the tips all the way around the tree;
remember that this also implies removing proteins or the precursors.
TOPPING,  as it often is practiced is really mutilation.  We starve
the roots when we remove the tops which supply their FOOD.  This
may  later lead to root rot.
POLLARDING,  mean establishing the framework i.e. the size and
shape of a tree.  This has to be begun when the tree is young and
repeated yearly by removing the sprouts without injuring the swollen
areas and without leaving a stub.  It is not only tree care, it is an art
and avoids later improper tipping or topping.
Appropriate SHAPING involves removal of crossing branches
within the crown and the pruning of 
V-crotches i.e. removal of the lesser limb of the V and preservation
of the dominant one.  This avoids later "including of the bark", a site
for wound infection.

This leads us to the concepts of DOSE, TIMING and NATURAL
TARGETS.  Just as you can only add an appropriate amount of
water and elements, there is also an appropriate amount , a dose, of
tree which you can remove at a given time.  A young tree with its
very thin periderm and cortex can be pruned a hundred percent i.e.
close to the ground, as is done in nurseries.  A sprout from a new
site will then grow from the stump.  There is no dead wood shedding
in a young tree but as the tree matures only the dead wood should
be removed.  Natural targets such as the branch collars should be
left in place without leaving a stub.
The fact that there are three crowns to a tree adjusts it to the
weather.  The innermost crown functions when it is hot, and the
outermost when it is cool.  And then there is an intermediate zone. 
Thus one should be aware of the possibility of overpruning, the real
reason for what is often called sun scold, frost cracks, pests and
lightening.
Ref. Many books on pruning by DR. ALEX L. SHIGO ( PHONE #
603-868-7459 )

95/10/21

John A. Keslick Jr.
Professional Modern Arborist

Keslick & Son
Modern Arboriculture
Products & Service
610-696-5353
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John A. Keslick Jr.              If you are not OUTRAGED you're not 
Professional Modern Arborist     paying attention.
& Tree Biologist                  
Phone: 610-696-5353              Support ORGANIC FARMERS.
organic tree treatment web site: 
http://www.ccil.org/~treeman/    
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