Thinning a sycamore ...

[tomh]

Hi all,

 

When is the best time to crown thin sycamore I seem to be getting mixed messages !

 

Thanks

[detritus21]

Anytime. It may "bleed" a bit spring and autumn as sap rises and falls

[tomh]

Thanks, so winter would be ok then you say

[sloth]

Winter is fine to work on sycamore, though if you are wanting more light by thinning can j suggest you consider a reduction instead. A thin will be barely noticeable a year or two later

 

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[armybloke]

Crown thinning is slightly frowned upon now as suggested within BS3998:2010 (which is your bible for tree works as you know). A reduction is now the norm.

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Crown thinning is slightly frowned upon now as suggested within BS3998:2010 (which is your bible for tree works as you know). A reduction is now the norm.

 

Not strictly true , admittedly the occasions when it is deemed 'Often Appropriate' are few (well once) and relate to management of light and shade, i.e. creating a dapple-shade effect for a dense canopy perhaps.

 

In terms of timing, following Shigo's (the late, great) Modern Arboriculture he suggests ideally avoiding leaf emergence, early Spring, and leaf-fall, Autumn, as in terms of energy reserves these are the two times in a year when the tree is most vulnerable to further depletion through pruning.

 

However, many prune Sycamore all year round as it's generally a vigorous species and provided individually it has good vitality, it will usually tolerate it quite happily.

 

Just a few thoughts..

 

Cheers..

Paul

[Andrew Gale]

Agree with all previous comments but go steady on the amount; over thin and it'll be worse than when you started and the same can be said for a reduction approach.

 

I've thinned during high summer as this tends to give you a better idea of how much dappled shade/light you're actually producing.

[tomh]

Thanks for all th

[tomh]

Thanks for all the feedback. I don't want it bleed and look unsightly.