The lesser of two evils?

[Dan Earp]

id deffo agree bud

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Hi mark, as tony said there is arguments for and against. As far as I understand it, pruning in the dormant period doesn't remove as much stored 'energy' within the branch as it is moved down into the stem and root system, but also as the tree is dormant it's defences are slow to non in sealing off the dysfunctional part of the tree leaving it open to a potential infection. If the trees are in good health with plenty of vigor removing the stubs should be fine, but leaving 'stubs' may cause the tree to use engery in blocking vessels in the branch, then by removing the branch back to the collar it's basically wasted wasted energy and removal of the trees defence lines... It's probably fairly insignificant but it's food for thought when working.

 

P.s. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong

 

A fair assessment of the situation.

 

However, the branch will most likely be sealed off at the collar as oposed to the stub end, depending on species of course.

 

This year is a good year for pruning it is wet wet wet, so hydration of cells is at maximum potential, the key in functionality and lack of aeration into wounds, better compartmentalisation of DYSFUNCTION

[Gareth jones]

Also the longer the stubs are left the more 'food' the pathogen has to gain momentum in attack to breach the trees natural defences

[treeseer]

Also the longer the stubs are left the more 'food' the pathogen has to gain momentum in attack to breach the trees natural defences

 

Mmmm that may be, IF the stubs will decay instead of resprouting.

 

Impossible to answer without pics or more info--diameter of stub end vs. attachment, % that was removed, vitality, condition... It could be that just pruning back to the next good node is the best way to go, if regrowth is likely.

 

That regrowth might be trained into an acceptable form, so those cut branches might be restored...

[Stubby]

Mmmm that may be, IF the stubs will decay instead of resprouting.

 

Impossible to answer without pics or more info--diameter of stub end vs. attachment, % that was removed, vitality, condition... It could be that just pruning back to the next good node is the best way to go, if regrowth is likely.

 

That regrowth might be trained into an acceptable form, so those cut branches might be restored...

 

If you prune back to the next good node to promote regrowth surely in a year or twos time the man with the mower will come and " crown lift" again . Just take them back to the collar and every one will be happy ?

[timtree81]

Make sure your cuts are correct tho

[Mark1]

Thanks for the input guys i collared the gardener this morning and explained the importance of correct cut placement etc. She was really good about it and seemed geniunely interested and is currently out in the rain on a Sunday morning identifying bbr and collars and de-stubbing.

 

Celebratory bacon sarnies all round me thinks.

[likeitorlumpit]

Thanks for the input guys i collared the gardener this morning and explained the importance of correct cut placement etc. She was really good about it and seemed geniunely interested and is currently out in the rain on a Sunday morning identifying bbr and collars and de-stubbing.

 

Celebratory bacon sarnies all round me thinks.

 

Good result- I too was thinking how the gardener was going to take the criticism if he/she came round and saw what had been done.

Have to say I'm with Huck and Tony on this- estates of old had tree work that needed doing and spare gardeners in the winter so it worked well- plus lighter wood for transport- lets face it most transport was manual or horses.

Many many customers still believe this to be the case!!

In fact it's been mentioned to me several times that this or that 'cowboy' firm don't know what they are doing pruning in summer. Oh yes and not putting that black stuff on the wounds- everyones an expert.

[treeseer]

Next time let's hope that proper reduction is considered first, and the whole tree lightly pruned, instead of raising via branch removal aka giraffe pruning.

 

Size of wound/amount of exposed heartwood remains the most important consideration. Attached and other research in the last 2 decades have exploded the paradigms that removal cuts are typically better than reduction cuts, and the 1/3 guideline. Also Hamburg is a lot closer to you guys than the US, where those old guidelines evolved.

pruning collar dujesieffken.pdf