Types of Pruning

Pruning

Types of Pruning

Here are a few types of pruning that will help you in saving your tree’s lives:

  1. Crown Lifting-

Crown lifting is a pruning technique that involves removal of the lower branches in the crown. It is often done to provide clearance in roads or over paths for instance, or sometimes to allow more light to pass under the crown. It often has limited impact on the amenity of a tree due to the fact it does not change the more prominent higher parts of the crown. The lower branches, on the other hand, tend to be bigger, so the wounds are more extensive and have an unfavorable effect on the tree’s life. You should always avoid leaving a clear stem that is more than one-third of the tree’s height. Lower branches have a crucial role to play in dampening the sway of a tree in the high winds.

Pruning

  1. Crown Thinning-

It involves the selective removal of branches surrounding the crown, such that the overall shape of the crown will not change. It increases the light penetration and also the air circulation surrounding the crown. It is essential to work on the crown, also focusing on removing small diameter branches, including its outer edges. Removal of many branches from the center of the crown will result in a tree with poor posture with a few points that are pruned back to in the future. Crown thinning can likewise occur in long, thin branches that have little foliage in their lower parts to hose influencing, putting additional weight on the tree in high winds.

  1. Crown reduction-

It is the reduction in overall size of the crown by shortening branches, and also cutting back to a suitable growth point. Mainly used where a tree has outgrown where it stands. It often results in significant injuries at the branch ends, and also may start to decay. Crown reduction should always be seen as a last resort. While performing crown reduction, the branches should be reduced to suitable side branches and also a flowing branch line maintained, that reflects the natural shape of the tree. A poorly performed crown reduction is known as a topping and is an awful practice.

  1. Pollarding-

Often misused by everyone in pruning is pollarding trees. Pollarding is a maintenance regime, begun when a tree is young at age and repeated at constant intervals throughout the tree’s life. All the branches of the tree are removed back to the secondary branches off the main stem. The Regrowth since the last pollard is then withdrawn back to the ‘knuckles’ at regular time periods. Branches removed are all of small in diameter. It is a management technique traditionally used on the willows to provide a constant supply of small diameter poles, similar to coppicing hazel but above ground, out of reach of grazing livestock.

Consider consulting with a local tree service company if you have any questions about tree pruning.  

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