Silver Birch pruning

[jamesd]

I was always taught that Silver Birch trees should be pruned in the summer when they are in full leaf. Is this correct or can they be done in the winter as well? I have work booked up until October/November and had a couple of calls about Birch trees that i need to get back too.

 

Cheers in advance

[aspenarb]

I have pruned about 10,000 of them today James:)

 

Bob

[Mick Dempsey]

I was told anytime is good except when they bleed in early spring.

 

I've done them all year round to no ill effect.

[stihlmadasever]

Silver birch dont like pruning and some die back can occur at the pruning points.Ive always been led to believe summer early autumn is best time to prune,to be honest i couldnt say why. Ive been told they "bleed " a lot but im just quoting what ive been told by more experienced guys than me.

Ive heavy pruned pendula's and got away with it

Edited August 11, 2016 by stihlmadasever

[Stubby]

They do bleed when the sap is rising and it makes a very refreshing drink . Also an interesting wine .....

[Gary24]

Yeah good wine,made it a few times:thumbup:

[jamesd]

I was told anytime is good except when they bleed in early spring.

 

I've done them all year round to no ill effect.

 

Cheers for that! Good to know!

[Daythe trees]

I try and avoid pruning them full stop. As they are I believe a pioneer species,so their ability to seal the wound through CODIT is limited and as such they invite decay from a pruning wound. That said when I have pruned them I've never found an issue with bleeding apart from just before or during sap rise, however every betula I've done and driven past a year or two later is showing a healthy bit of rot at the cut point. Maybe I'm just crap at the final cuts!

[Mick Dempsey]

They get rot pockets, it's no big deal.

[Starscream]

The few I've done, I've done lightly. Avoid early spring when saps rising and when it's losing leaf to avoid it pulling down any airborne pathogens as the sap retreats. But to be honest it depends on the customer; if they want it done sooner rather than later (even if it's against all advice) and you don't do it, someone else will.