Leaves the crown open to wind damage and sun scald, and.Compromises the structure of the tree by redistributing weight to the ends of branches.Removes too much foliage (which the tree needs for photosynthesis).This practice is not recommended because it: No Lion TailingĪnother common mistake is “lion tailing,” removing interior branches and keeping leaves and growth only at branch ends. Stub cuts are the opposite of flush cuts they leave a protruding branch stub long enough that the branch collar cannot grow over it.Ī rule of thumb to avoid stub cuts: If you can hang a hat on a branch stub, it’s too long.
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A pruning cut made here stimulates the tissue in the branch collar to grow over and seal the wound.
#INSTACODE LIVE HALF CUTS HOW TO#
How to avoid a flush cut: Identify the branch collar, an enlarged area around the base of a branch, and cut just beyond it. Because the plant cannot close over the wound, a flush cut leaves an opening for pests and pathogens to enter the plant and damage or kill it. While it may look clean and streamlined, a flush cut removes the branch collar, an area of tissue that’s needed to form a seal over the pruning cut. This occurs when you cut a branch off flush with the bark of the tree trunk or larger branch to which it’s attached. One of the most common pruning mistakes is the flush cut. Notice the shoots growing all along the branches as this tree tries to recover from heading cuts. To prevent the spread of these fatal tree diseases, avoid pruning during the warmer months when the beetles are active. For example, in northeast Ohio oak wilt and Dutch elm disease are spread by beetles that are attracted to open wounds on trees (such as fresh pruning cuts). Most importantly, if you make pruning cuts at the wrong time–even good cuts that avoid the most common mistakes described here–you risk leaving your plants and trees susceptible to disease pathogens that are airborne or transmitted through insects. Instead, wait until after they’ve bloomed before making your pruning cuts.ĭon’t prune when trees are vulnerable to pests and disease. You’ll face a similar lack of blossoms if you prune spring-flowering trees and shrubs in late winter or early spring. For example, rhododendrons and conifers are best pruned in late summer before they set buds for the next year. If you remove these dormant buds, you risk losing springtime flowers and the plant is forced to use more energy to produce replacement buds for foliage. These buds stay dormant through winter months and bloom the following spring.
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Fall pruning may remove the leaf and flower buds that a tree has already set during summer growth. Dieback from a freeze means that energy used for this growth was wasted.ĭon’t cut off leaf and flower buds.
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Trees and shrubs reduce their energy production as the growing season ends, so new growth in autumn will use a plant’s stored energy reserves. Pruning cuts can stimulate new growth that, unfortunately, will be killed as temperatures drop to freezing. Trees also heal more quickly when pruned before spring bud break.Īvoid pruning in fall. Not only is it less stressful for the plant, it’s also easier for you to see the branch structure and less likely to spread harmful pathogens. Winter is the dormant season for plants and trees in northeast Ohio and is an excellent time to prune most trees and shrubs. You should first know if you are pruning at the right time of year. The result is a naturally shaped, vigorous plant.
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They first evaluate the plant’s overall form, then remove or modify only those branches that are a risk to plant health, a hazard for people or property, or which detract from overall form and character. As every pruning cut is a wound to the plant, one key to successful pruning is to do as little cutting as possible to achieve the desired outcome. No matter the reason, pruning must be done correctly to ensure the tree or shrub’s health and continuing vigor.Īrborists and aesthetic pruners are trained to understand the growth patterns and physical structure of trees and shrubs. Tree and shrub pruning is done for several reasons, such as reducing the size of the plant, opening up the canopy, removing obstructions, enhancing its shape, and removing dead or damaged growth. Avoiding pruning mistakes is easy when you know the proper pruning techniques and, more importantly, why you’re pruning a tree or shrub.