Pruning Paradigm: Eternal Truth?

[treeseer]

The Voice of Tree Care | Tree Care Industry Association

 

The author is a gifted authority on shrub pruning but with trees it's all about the 1/3 rule, The Heading Cut Concept. However, this falls apart when you think about it.

 

No one can answer the question: Is it really important to leave a lateral that can assume the terminal role? If so, why?

 

What if there is no 1/3 sized lateral? Do you have to cut back to a small lateral or bud, or do you have to cut the whole tree down? Turnbull favors the latter, destroying the tree asset rather than questioning this paradigm. Is that the right thing to do?

[David Humphries]

I've never felt that trees (in general) offer themselves as perfect biological structures each and every time we change their form.

 

Surely the vitality of their dynamic mass is more important than subscribing to text book direction in terms of where they should be wounded/pruned.

 

One of the most encouraging moves forward here in the UK was at the review and update of the latest British Standard on Tree work Recommendations (3998: 2010) where annexe C (normative) 'crown management - specialised practices' talks about leaving stubs for the development of epicormic or dormant buds.

 

 

 

 

 

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[Paul Jenks]

Following dogma was never one of my strong points. I suspect this is the case with many arborists.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Following dogma was never one of my strong points. I suspect this is the case with many arborists.

 

indeed:thumbup1:

[treeseer]

Following dogma was never one of my strong points. I suspect this is the case with many arborists.

Wish that were so in the US. As we are spellbound by scary stories of the Demons of D, we worship 1/3 rules, and defend them to the death. David yes i like that the Annex is Normative aka official; in ANSI, annexes are not. Great guidance in there, quoted in the attached attempt at busting those myths.

 

A quixotic quest, or some chance for success? We'll see.

RETRENCHING HOLLOW TREES FOR LIFE handout FINAL.pdf