From time to time, you will need to prune your trees. Sometimes it’s a dead branch that needs removing, or you may have a low-lying limb that gets in your way. Whatever your reason for pruning limbs from your tree, you need to know how to do it correctly if you want your trees to look their best.
You should prune most shade trees in early spring, before the new leaves appear unless you are pruning “bleeders,” such as beech and birch trees, which can be cut in the summer or fall. If you are pruning spring-flowering trees, wait until they blossom so that you don’t knock any blooms off.
Take Precautions
Using a sharp-toothed saw, make a deep cut on the underside of the offending branch, a little over a foot from the trunk. This helps ensure that the bark won’t tear off when you remove the branch. Cut again on the upper side of the limb, around four or five inches from the undercut, and saw through the limb. Try to keep the cut opening smooth so that new bark can grow around it, and it won’t decay.
Trim away the overlying bark in a circular shape around the wound. It will grow back quickly. When you are done, remove the broken branches from the ground, and mulch them, if you wish. Make sure to clean and/or sharpen your pruning tools before putting them away. That way, they’ll be ready when you need to use them again.
Close the Wound
Although a tree can heal itself over time without intervention, traditional wisdom suggests that you paint the open tree wound to keep out insects. You can use a putty knife or other flat tool for this chore, but you should lay it on thickly to lock out all possible moisture. This will also help to prevent rot and disease. You should remember to reapply this dressing each spring and fall until there is no longer a visible scar.
Try to trim low-lying branches gradually, over a few years, from the bottom up. This will keep the tree trunk from being scalded by too much sunlight at once. Just like people, trees need a bit of a tan to protect them from sunburn.
If you’re trying to keep a tree from growing too tall, you may clip the newest twigs to inhibit new growth and create a more lush development of the other branches.
With proper pruning and a little care, you can keep your trees looking their best for years to come!
Tammy McKillip - Tammy McKillip is a writer/photographer living and working in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. A graduate of Columbia University's writing ...
