Page 16 - March Newsletter

Make Pruning Shade Trees a Priority in March!By: Ryan EngelPruning woody plants in the landscape is an important task that should be considered annually. Late winter and early spring are the recommended time of year to get out and prune most trees and shrubs. Dormant trees without their leaves make visualizing the branching structure an easier task. Making cuts this time of year, just before buds break and growth resumes, will aid in healing and help wounds callus over quickly. Disease pressure is also typically much lower during this period. Annually pruning trees and shrubs allows one to make consistent minor adjustments to enhance the plant's structural integrity. Maintaining a solid branching structure is vital for ensuring the long-term success of trees.Before making cuts, it is essential to understand how to prune correctly. Improper pruning can cause damage that will last for the entire life of the tree and potentially shorten the tree’s life span. One should never remove more than 1/3rd of the foliage at one time, and all cuts should be made so that only branch wood is removed and the trunk is not injured. Always make cuts at branching junctions so as not to leave stubs. Look for the “branch bark ridge,” a raised line of bark on the upper surface of where the branch joins the trunk. On the underside of the branch, look for the “branch collar,” a slightly swollen area of bark that wraps around the branch (Fig. 1). Make all pruning cuts just on the outside of the branch bark ridge and angle down and slightly away from the trunk to avoid the branch collar. A 3-cut pruning method should be used on heavy branches (Fig. 2). The first cut should be about a foot out from the tree’s trunk on the underside of the branch. This cut should go halfway through the branch and prevent the bark from ripping down the side of the trunk as the limb falls. Make the second cut an inch further out from the first under-cut, cutting all the way through from the top side of the branch to remove most of the limb. The final cut will remove the remaining stump and should be just outside the branch bark ridge and collar.Pruning can be a potentially hazardous task, so take safety precautions when trimming. Inspect all pruning tools and equipment before using them. Wear personal protective equipment, such as leather gloves, hearing protection, and eye protection when necessary. Never use a tool for a task that it wasn’t made for. If using ladders, be sure they are correctly placed and you maintain three points of contact. Always be aware of any power lines nearby, and never prune branches within 10 feet of power lines yourself. When pruning very large trees or when circumstances seem hazardous, consider hiring a certified arborist to take on such tasks.Find Certified Arborists Here!Kansas Arborists Association International Society of ArboricultureFigure 1. The branch bark ridge and collar occur where the branch meets the trunk. Make pruning cuts just outside of this area.Figure 2. Use the 3-cut pruning method when cutting large branches. Make cuts in alphabetic order according to the diagram.Ryan Engelrpengel@ksu.edu Horticulture Extension Agent