An improper cut like a flush cut (cutting too close to the trunk) or a stub cut (cutting too far from the trunk) can cause irreversible damage to a tree. A flush cut removes the branch collar and leaves a large wound in the side of the tree that won't heal properly.
Bad pruning cuts, like stub cuts and flush cuts, can make trees vulnerable to pests, diseases, and structural problems. Practices like tree topping and lion tailing harm trees by causing stress, weak growth, and increased storm damage risks.
Snipping the tips of tree branches (stubbing out) is among the most common bad pruning cuts. Since pruning promotes growth, you encourage several new branches to develop by snipping the tip of one branch. Too many new branches can be unhealthy for your tree.
The closer to the tree's trunk roots are cut, the more significant and harmful the damage will be. The 25% Rule – Never cut roots beyond 25 percent of a tree's total volume. The tree may die or fall as a result of this.
Prune all branches above four feet growing toward the center of the tree. Always cut back to a larger branch of the trunk. Don't cut to see over branches, but to see through them. Cut off branches that cross each other, rub against the trunk or are dead.
Arborists have a 1/3 rule that suggests the branch you trim back to should be at least 1/3 the diameter of the stem it is attached to.
If you make serious seasonal pruning mistakes and prune a tree in summer or fall, you may have removed buds, flowers, or fruit. The solution is to wait until winter and prune again using thinning cuts or reduction cuts.
A proper pruning cut minimizes the damage done to the tree and allows it to heal quickly. An improper cut like a flush cut (cutting too close to the trunk) or a stub cut (cutting too far from the trunk) can cause irreversible damage to a tree.
The 1/3 rule involves cutting about 1/3 of wood during any pruning activity. This kind of moderate pruning is like giving your shrubs a good balance – it thins them out a bit and encourages new growth.
Make proper cuts to insure the health and longevity of your plants. Use the three-cut method when removing large branches. This prevents trunk damage caused by the weight of the branch ripping it and the bark off the tree. Make your first cut about one foot away from the trunk.
LaRene Bautner from Millcreek Gardens demonstrates a trimming tutorial with focus on the “3 D's for pruning” : Dead, Diseased, Damaged.
Remember: pruning trees in spring can leave them more vulnerable to insect infestation and diseases. That's why you don't want to prune these trees in spring, summer, or early fall: Oak trees to reduce the chance of oak wilt (if oak wilt is in your area) Elm trees to reduce the chance of Dutch elm disease.
Pruning. If the crown of your tree is stretching too tall or wide, corrective pruning can help rein it in and size it down for the space available. It's crucial to prune a tree before it becomes a problem because taking away too many branches could cause unnecessary stress.
The first cut is a shallow notch made on the underside of the branch, outside the branch collar. This cut will prevent a falling branch from tearing the stem tissue as it pulls away from the tree. 2. The second cut should be outside the first cut, all the way through the branch, leaving a short stub.
When felling a tree, always start by making a directional notch (also known as a face cut) on the side of the tree where you want it to fall. This allows you to control the direction of the fall – essential to avoiding accidents and injury to you and anyone nearby.
The 1/3 rule for pruning shrubs refers to the practice of cutting about 1/3 of wood or a branch. This approach is applied to fully established shrubs and small trees. This is done at this stage since the established shrubs and plants are past their transplant shock.
Using a sharp knife (or pruners) cut just below where a leaf attaches to the stem (the node). Roots grow easiest from this location. If you leave a section of stem below the node, it often rots. Remove the lower leaves but leave the top two or three.
Lions Tailing
It refers to when all the lower and/or interior branches on a tree or large major branch are pruned off except for the ends or top. It makes the branch look like a lions tail where the only fluff is at the end. I most often see this in combination with the trunk cleaning.
Branches should be pruned at the branch collar-NOT at mid-branch. Mid-branch pruning, called tipping or topping depending on branch size, is harmful to trees, promotes the growth of weakly attached epicormic sprouts, and can lead to the death of the branch or the tree! Sharp, clean tools make the smoothest cuts.