Let's Practice Proper Pruning

It is the wet season and also the hurricane season and we see trimming of trees being done fairly widely around the island.

It should be remembered though, that trees should be placed at safe distances from buildings in the first place and the habit and the size of the tree should be known before it is chosen for a location.

We trim the trees because we want to remove dead branches which might fall and cause damage during high winds, or to remove branches which are too close to build and public roads or near to utility lines (in order to avoid accidents these should only be pruned by a utility company) and which would pose a threat during a hurricane.

However, in my experience this trimming process is generally done in a very crude manner which destroys the shape of the trees and may even damage them. The trees should be pruned, rather than simply “chain saw massacred” in an unscientific manner.

Pruning is the selective removal of part s of the plant to control growth and improve shape; to thin it out and revitalise it; to remove dead wood to maintain health or reduce risk from falling branches; or sometimes to raise the lower branches of tree to give more clearance for pedestrians.

Training and shaping of trees should take place at an early stage so that wounds are not so large and prone to infection by disease organisms. The height of the trunk of a young tree can be controlled by removing, at an early stage, the side shoots which appear up to the height one chooses for trunk of the tree.

Shoots above this height would be allowed to develop. Only one central bank trunk should be left. Lateral branches should be located alternatively around the trunk and spaced uniformly around the leader to prevent crowding as the limbs grow in diameter.

Wounds should also be treated with a fungicide/insecticide mixture to prevent damage by insects. Opinions differ on the use of paint or wound sealers. Pruning of, not only trees, but shrubs as well, is best carried out at the beginning new growth and flowering, and to maintain the flowering, and to maintain the aesthetics of the plant. Pruning on a regular basic is recommended rather than waiting until the size of the tree get out of hand and a radical pruning has to be done.

Pruning tools should always be sharp so that they do not tear the limbs during the pruning process. A double cut should be made – first cut halfway on the underside of the limb (about one foot from the trunk), then several inches further out make a second cut through on the upper part of the limb.

When the branch is removed, there is no splintering of the main tree trunk. Tools should also be sanitized to prevent spread of disease. Slanting cuts should be made when removing limbs that grow upwards; this prevents water from collecting in the cut and expedites healing.

Cuts should be made just above a node (the place on the stem from which a leaf or branch grows) so that the active bud at the node will be simulated to open and produce a new shoot. However, care must be taken not to cut close to the bud to damage it – make your cut 0.5cm (1/4in) above the bud.

For further Information see: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkVkLB4ap3I3)

Taken From: The Nation News Paper

Written By: The Agrodoc