Michael Page

Structural pruning is needed for all trees. Pruning cuts will be small in nature leaving meaningless wounds when pruning is conducted on a regular basis. The goal is to prevent all branches and stems from growing larger than about half the diameter of the trunk. Younger trees respond better to structural pruning. Changes in branch diameter relative to trunk diameter brought about by structural pruning are slower to manifest on medium-aged and mature trees than on younger trees because the core trunk and branch structure has already been established. Prune often and begin at planting.

There are a few simple steps to maintaining a dominant trunk leader. The first step is to spot the stem that will make the best dominant trunk. It should be in the center of the crown, and crack free, openings, mechanical damage, large pruning wounds, cankers or other defects that could compromise its strength. The next step is to spot the stems and branches that might be competing with this stem. The last step is to remove those competing stems and branches back to the trunk, or subordinate by shortening them with a reduction cut. Be sure to remove branches that are clustered together and growing from the same point on the trunk. Ideally, only one large branch grows from one position on the trunk.

In contrast to younger trees, structure changes in older trees happen less because parts are much larger and growth has slowed. But, structural pruning is still recommended making two- to four-inch-diameter cuts on stems and other weak limbs. Similar to small trees, the focus is on reducing the length of stems and branches that compete with the leader, and those with defects. Removing additional branches behind the reduction cut can suppress growth rate on the pruned stem even further. Unlike reduction cuts, removing only secondary lateral branches from stems and branches that compete with the leader on mature trees causes less dysfunctional wood behind pruning cuts. However, secondary branch removal does less to relieve mechanical stress along the pruned branch than reduction. Moreover, the branch may be forced to grow too long unless it is reduced in length with a reduction cut.

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Top Tree LLC is your best choice for any tree removal needs in Pasco. All of our technicians are highly trained and properly certified. We are happy to answer any questions you have now or in the future.

It’s almost March which means that Spring is just around the corner. In the Tri-Cities, Spring time is usually the “windy season”. If you have tall trees on or around your property, you will want to be mindful of how to properly thin your trees to keep them safe in blustery conditions.

Why Prune?
Improper tree architecture or structure is at the top of the list of tree failure causes. Most failed trees are removed at very high cost in built landscapes. Pruning is less expensive than removal, and if properly done, can prevent premature tree removal and extend tree life span. When done correctly, pruning is one of the most sustainable tree inputs. On the other hand, pruning can cause structural and health problems for the tree when done improperly.

Trees that become too big lack good mechanisms to cope with the spreading habit when the crown is raised off the ground. Many trees also are not well adapted to maintain the upright, multi-leader habit. Their mechanical and biological properties are inadequate to support these forms because these is very different from their natural habit. Many defects can arise such as bark inclusions, a serious defect rare in the moist forest, is common in the union of large branches on open-grown trees. This was the cause of the failure shown above.

In response to crown raising, low aggressive limbs and stems grow up at an angle into the permanent crown in a manner unfamiliar to most trees. They can break as they grow long and heavy. Other branches may sag and get in the way requiring their removal after growing quite large as show on the left. These three conditions can lead to a shortened life from cracks, broken trees, and trunk decay.

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Top Tree LLC is your best choice for any tree removal needs in Richland. All of our technicians are highly trained and properly certified. We are happy to answer any questions you have now or in the future.

It’s the end of February which means that Spring is just around the corner. Here in the Tri-Cities, Spring time is synonymous with “blowing wind”. If you have tall trees on or around your property, you will want to be mindful of how to properly thin your trees to keep them safe in blustery conditions.

Trees are trimmed and thinned in numerous areas because tree owners believe this is what should be done to trees, or they like the appearance of a thinned crown, or it’s a normal method of trimming in the region. Parts of the Tri-Cities where thinning is rarely practiced do not appear to experience more storm-related tree damage than regions where thinning is common.

Thinning is conducted on large or small trees for a number of other reasons. Although entire-tree thinning can be useful, structural pruning should be considered before the entire crown is thinned. In fact, structural pruning is probably the best way to thin. A strategic approach would be to structurally prune to reduce defects, then thin to shape and balance to the desired crown aesthetics if maximum pruning dose has not been exceeded. Other than to avoid storm damage, entire-tree thinning of landscape trees is mostly an aesthetic practice that lasts only a short time.

Thinning removes limbs and branches from the end portion of trunks and limbs. Pruning cuts to thin the crown of a large tree typically range in size from one to five inches in diameter. For purposes of limiting damage from wind, cuts smaller than about one inch in diameter appears to be less effective. However, small cuts of one-quarter to one-half-inch in diameter can be used to thin small ornamental trees and citrus for aesthetics and other reasons. Proper thinning does not change the overall size of the tree.

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Top Tree LLC is your best choice for any tree removal needs in Kennewick. All of our technicians are highly trained and properly certified. We are happy to answer any questions you have now or in the future.