Large spruce tree question...

[blades]

I have about 500m of what I think are Sitka spruce trees running along the edge of my own road. Along this span they have been quite nicely spaced out at the time of planting so no problems here. Over years there is a build up of broken branches etc around the bottom of these trees and I think branches and tree cuttings from elsewhere have been thrown along here so the result is its solid and dence. I would like to clear all this and remove the lower living branches on the trees to approx head height (6').... My question is are there any negatives from the trees point of view of doing this?

 

Thank you in advance

[Big J]

No disadvantage - common forestry practice (brashing). Try to avoid scuffing the bark too much but keep the pegs as flush as possible to the stem.

[blades]

No disadvantage - common forestry practice (brashing). Try to avoid scuffing the bark too much but keep the pegs as flush as possible to the stem.

 

 

Thank you

[Bearded Munch]

No disadvantage - common forestry practice (brashing). Try to avoid scuffing the bark too much but keep the pegs as flush as possible to the stem.

 

I have not heard the term brashing for a long time used to do it regular 30 years 'ago, as you say it won't do the trees any harm.

[David Goss]

No disadvantage - common forestry practice (brashing). Try to avoid scuffing the bark too much but keep the pegs as flush as possible to the stem.

 

This is true up to a certain point, if the trees are edge trees which I guess they are then the lower branches can become very large. If the branches are thicker than 10cm diameter then the tree wil struggle to close the wound quickly, this will leave the wood open to attack from fungus. Also when the branches are so large then a collar will form, it's not a good idea to cut flush with the trunk in this instance and you should cut the branch off just where the collar ends and the branch begins.

[born2trot]

Use to do it for 10pence a metre , dont know what the rate is now. There certainly wasnt the time to do pruning cuts ! It was cut to 2-3 inch pegs roughly but realise that was purely commercial purposes.

( was a great job to take the dog to btw )

[huskydavid]

Good for small scale, but gets expensive with larger sites. Personally i think i brashed small woodland is beautiful.