ABCs of Young & Small Tree Pruning Andrew Pleninger & Christopher Luley
ABCs of Tree Pruning Requires minimal training ABCs prioritized, step by step acronym methodology that is easy to recall Built in redundancy Focus on pruning the tree in front of you now Not what the tree will look like in the future Can dramatically extend the life of a tree
Overview Tools & Pruning Cuts ABCs Method A- Assess the Tree A- Apical Dominance B Bad Branches C Competing Branches Examples Extras
Pruners Gather Your Tools Bypass (scissor) only Anvil crush tissues Cut up to 11/2 inch 24 inch loppers
Gather Your Tools Saws Cut on push or pull stroke Large teeth Large branches Small teeth Small branches Fine tooth, 8 inch Medium tooth, up to 15 inch
Gather Your Tools 10 foot nonconductive pole Professional Grade Clean & Sharp Pruning Diseased Branches Disinfectant 1/10 Solution Bleach & Water 95% rubbing alcohol Commercial Product Physan 20
Gather Your Tools Terminology Lateral Parent Lateral Parent Attachment
Pruning Cuts Removal Cut Heading Cut Reduction Cut
Removal Cut Objectives Removal cuts can have a significant impact on: Tree Health Aesthetics Remove branches with bad attachments.
Removal Cut Objectives Establish or maintain a a single central stem.
Removal Cut Objectives Improve Clearance under the tree.
Removal Cut Objectives Improve vertical & horizontal spacing between branches.
Reduction & Heading Cut Objectives Three Objectives Suppress Growth Redirect Growth Reduce Pruning Branch Growth Suppression Removing energy producing leaf area will slow growth Removing a branch s terminal, growth in length will be slowed Establish a Central Stem
Reduction & Heading Cut Objectives Branch Growth Suppression Remove 25% to 75% of the branch s live branch area. Growth will be suppressed depending on the amount live branch area removed. Suppress a Large Lateral
Reduction & Heading Cut Objectives Redirect Branch Growth Under canopy clearance Direct growth away from structures
Reduction & Heading Cut Objectives Reduce Amount of Pruning Reduce Dose
Removal Cut Branches with a Branch Collar Branch Bark Ridge Final cut Branch Collar A properly made removal cut takes advantage of natural protective barriers in the stem & branch and minimizes damage to the parent.
Removal Cut - Branches with a Branch Collar Properly made removal cut. Don t cut the wound wood!
Branches without Branch Collar The exact angle of the final cut is less important than not cutting the branch bark ridge, the parent or leaving a stub.
Removal Cut - Branches without a Branch Collar or Branch Bark Ridge Seam Bottom
Reduction Cut Select a suitable lateral: At least 1/3 rd the diameter of the parent.
Reduction Cut
Heading Cut
Pruning Cut Tips 2 2 3 1 1 3 Removal Cut 3 Step Method Reduction Cut
Pruning Cut Tips Narrow Branch Angles Tangled Branch
Start Pruning - The ABCs Method Focus on the tree In Front of You Follow Steps A thru C Stop when you reach your Dose If in Doubt, Don t cut With use, ABCs will get easier, become second nature Most trees will not require all of the pruning outline in the steps
A Assess the Tree Determine the Pruning Dose Tree Health Assessment Determine ABCs Pruning Form A Form B - Form
A Assess the Tree Determine the Pruning Dose Dose - Percentage of Live Crown Removed Tree Health Assessment Leaf color & size Annual Twig Growth Density of Foliage Presence of: Dead Dying Diseased
A Assess the Tree Tree Health Leaf Size & Color Typical for Tree Good Normal Off-color/Small Abnormal
A Assess the Tree Tree Health Twig Growth Increments Measure Measure Growth Increments Inspect a number of twigs throughout the crown. Declining in length Less than 3 inches = Poor Heath
A Assess the Tree Tree Health Twig Growth Increment
A Assess the Tree Tree Health Foliage Density Presence of Dead, Dying, Diseased
A Assess the Tree Prescribe a Dose Percent of Live Crown to Be Removed Low Dose New Planting Significant Deficiencies in assessment categories Following Steps Only: A-Apical Dominance B-Bad Branches C-Clearance Head Only Normal Dose Prune up to 33%of Live Crown High Dose Prune > 33% of Live Crown
A Assess the Tree Determine ABCs Pruning Form A - Form B-Form The Tree s Present Structure
A Assess the Tree ABCs Pruning Form Proceed to Step A Apical Dominance A - Form A - Form
A Assess the Tree ABCs Pruning Form Multiple horizontal scaffolds originating from the same point B - Form B - Form Proceed to: Step B - Bad Branches B - Form
A Assess the Tree ABCs Pruning Form V Shaped Defined Central Stem A-Form Most B-Form
A Apical Dominance A-Form Trees Only Develop & Maintain a Single Central Stem Identify/Select a Central Stem Suppress branches competing with the central stem
A Apical Dominance Select a Central Stem
A Apical Dominance Pruning Measure your dose, proceed to next step if dose has not been reached
B Bad Branches Broken, Dead, Diseased Bad Branch Attachments Rubbing
B Bad Branches Disinfest Tools! Diseased - Blights Diseased - Galls
B Bad Branches Diseased - Cankers
B Bad Branches Decayed Measure your dose, proceed to next step if dose has not been reached Rubbing
B Bad Branches Bad Branch Attachments Strong U-shaped attachment Weak V-shaped attachment Seam & Swelling below union
B Bad Branches Included Bark Measure your dose, proceed to next step if dose has not been reached Start with largest, lowest branches Do not remove branches directly next to or above each Suppress with reduction or heading cuts if need
C-Competing Branches Compete with each other by virtue of their size or location in relation to each other Clearance Co-Dominant Stems Competing Laterals Multiple Attachments Vertical Spacing Crossing
C Competing Branches Clearance/Branching Height Branching Height may be a personal decision.
C Clearance/Branching Height Achieving a Branching Height Remove Branches Below ¼ to 1/3 rd the height of the tree Head/reduce Above ¼ to 1/3 rd the height for clearance Don t Remove more than one branch next to each other horizontally or vertically Remove one Suppress remaining
C Clearance/Branching Height Measure your dose, proceed to next step if dose has not been reached Clearance Remove or Head sprouts on the trunk Leave some sprouts if: there is a wound there is prolific sprouting recent transplant
C-Co-dominant Stems Two stems attached at the same point on the central stem competing for apical dominance.
C Co-dominant Stems Start with group lowest on the tree & work up Prune largest competing with the selected central stem Remove or Suppress codominants with reduction or heading cuts if your dose may be exceeded or the branch is too large to remove at once
C Co-dominant Stems Measure your dose by placing branches in a pile and quantify the percentage of live crown removed. Proceed to the next step if dose has not been exceeded.
C-Competing Laterals Compete with central stem by virtue of: Fast upward growth Size Un-Balancing Crown Diameter Relative to the central stem
C Competing Laterals Large diameter relative to the central stem More than ½ the diameter of the stem where they attach
C Competing Laterals Start with largest & lowest in the tree Remove Too Large to Remove Suppress
C Competing Laterals B-Form Trees Less important Allow these laterals to grow once you have reached your desired branching height Measure your dose, proceed to next step if dose has not been reached
C- Multiple Attachments/Horizontal Spacing 2 or more branches that are attached in the same or nearly same horizontal plane or location around the central stem B-Form, V-shaped trees skip this step
C Multiple Attachments/Horizontal Spacing Start with lowest whorl on the central stem Select one for preservation Remove one Suppress others Do not: Remove more than 1 in a whorl Remove 2 branches above/below each other
C Multiple Attachments/Horizontal Spacing B-Form, V-shaped trees skip this step Issues will be dealt with in Steps B & C Co-dominant stems & laterals Measure your dose, proceed to next step if dose has not been reached
Branch collars touching or nearly touching in the same vertical plane C-Vertical Spacing
C Vertical Spacing Select branch(s) for preservation Good orientation Size relative to central stem Form spiral pattern as you move up the tree Do not: Remove more than 1 in a whorl Remove 2 branches above/below each other B-Form, V-shaped trees skip this step
C Vertical Spacing Branches in nearly the same vertical plane as you move around the stem
C Vertical Spacing Measure your dose, proceed to next step if dose has not been reached
C-Crossing Branches Select the most desirable for preservation Suppress if removal is not appropriate
C Crossing Branches Sprouts or upward growing shoots on laterals Finished!
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When to Prune
Time to Prune
Pruning Interval The number of years between each pruning event. Tree should not be pruned more than once a year Standard for young trees is 3 years Less than 3 years Vigorous Growing Young Trees
Pruning Interval Have the ability to visit the tree frequently Extensive pruning required Dose should be reduced a each event
Pruning Interval Dead, dying or diseased branches can be pruned as often as needed.
Wound Dressings & Treatments
DON TS Dose over-prune Over- raise
Don ts Never flush cut Rip or leave stubs
Don ts Use the wrong tools Top or lions tail
Determining Branching Height
Don ts