Atwood LawnCare

Proper pruning can lengthen a tree's life, increase its value, and minimize liability problems. Incorrect pruning can cause pest and decay problems, increased liability (from deadwood, splitting, etc.), and greatly reduce the tree's life span.

Late dormant season pruning of trees is usually recommended, although light, corrective pruning (removal of any dead, diseased, or damaged wood) can be done at any time of the year. Examine the branch growth pattern along the main trunk. Ideally branch growth should alternate along the trunk. You should not have two or more branches attached at the same location along the trunk (except for trees that produce branches in whorls, such as pines, cedars, hemlocks, spruces, and firs). Remove branches with a narrow crotch angle because they are weakly attached to the tree. Prune forks to a single limb.

When making a pruning cut, examine the branch to locate the branch-bark ridge and the branch collar. The branch-bark ridge is where the growing, expanding branch and the expanding trunk push up bark between them into a raised ridge at the base of the branch. There is a slight swelling on the underside of the branch as it enters the trunk. The area around and between the branch-bark ridge and the bottom swelling is called the branch collar. When pruning, you want to cut the branch but not the branch collar. Cut the base of the branch at the edge of the collar. Do not flush cut or leave a long stub. Do not use wound paints because they disrupt the tree's ability to seal off its wound site.