2005 Year in Review

Pruning Trees

Topping--one of two ways of pruning a tree--should be called "butchery," said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.

"There are two ways to prune a tree," said James Schuster. "One is called heading back, and the other is topping. Heading back is cutting back to a bud, leaf, side branch, main branch, or trunk. Heading back redirects the growth of the tree's structure.

"Topping is butchery. It is cutting back to an 'artificial' point whether or not it leaves a stump. It tends to encourage wild growth and decay."

While heading back reduces the height and width of the tree, in most cases it still leaves a natural appearance and shape to the tree, he noted. Some of the trees that are pruned for electrical lines are headed back correctly even though more than half the tree has been removed.

"Close inspection will show that the severe pruning has left no stumps," he said. "All the structural removal has taken place at side branches, main branches, or the trunk. Yet, other franchisees for the electric companies may do topping and leave stumps all over the tree."

In other states and even in some areas of Illinois, Schuster said that topping may be the most common pruning style.

"Topping has been going on so long that the general public thinks it is the only way trees should be pruned," he said. "When getting bids for reducing a tree's size, ask the arborist to describe where he is going to make the cuts. If the reply is back to a branch or trunk, ask how close to the branch or trunk the cut will be made.

"If the reply is flush against the branch/trunk, it is too close. If inches of growth are going to be left sticking out from the branch/trunk, then the cut is too far out." Schuster said the correct flush cut starts halfway between the branch collar and the branch ridge on top and ends just outside the collar on the bottom. Another way is to cut the branch off right along the outside edge of the branch collar.

"Many arborists are now using the 'Shigo Cut'," he noted. "The cut starts just at the outside edge on top and ends about one-fourth inch beyond the collar on the bottom. Both types of cut are workable. Neither leaves an extra-large wound nor a major stump."

Tree paints and tars are used mostly for cosmetic purposes.

"Tree paints and tars cannot stop a tree from bleeding or prevent most insects or diseases," Schuster said. "They are used to help hide a large, whitish-looking wound. Left untreated, the wound will eventually turn grayish and blend in."

by  Editor, theCity1.com
June 20, 2005