A.A.R.F.P. Pruning Workshop Arnold Heuver Consulting April 2018 Picture taken August 2012, Butchart Gardens
Arnold Heuver Consulting General management Field practices hands on Inventory management Clean Plants Program Disease and Insect Identification/Control Weed Control Sprayer Calibration A fresh non biased perspective Landscape Plant and site issues ISA Certified Arborist
Why do we prune? Form the plant into a desired shape and structure Overcome structural problems Encourage flowering Promote fruit production Get a clear stem height Remove dead and diseased wood Clean up after windstorm/snow damage
Basic Pruning Cuts Leaving the collar on Angle cut on twig Three stage cut on bigger branches Hedge clipping Removing dead or deceased wood
Pruning Cut This cut leaves the stub too long This cut is too short, damaging the main stem.
Pruning Cut This cut is just right! The collar is left for proper healing
Proper Pruning Cuts
Pruning Cuts Angle Cut 3 Point Cut
Hedge Trimming Examples Perfect
Prepare small trees for the future Reduce and start removing lower branches Check for poor crotches Take out or reduce co-dominant leaders Remove crossing branches
Example of pruning too late (Malus, Selkirk) Before After
Side Branch Reduction Balance and Caliper increases when you leave reduced side branches on Remove them too fast, then the tree will become top heavy Reduction will slow down calipering of side branches which controls the size of pruning cut wounds later on
Reduction Example Before After
Before and After
Example of thinning (Pyrus) Before After
Training a Leader Why not? The tree does not have a dominant leader habit It is not desired in the intended setting A leader is used only to a clear stem height after which it is no longer desired or feasible
Brandon Elm (samples)
Results of No Pruning
We can do better than this!
Trees with Co-Dominant Leaders Mayday American Mountain Ash Apple Pear Ohio Buckeye Linden In other climates some of these trees will form dominant leaders
Typical Requirements for Boulevard Trees Need a higher stem Train trees with no dominant leader for boulevard trees Knowledge of what is suitable Climate differences: Vancouver (West Coast) versus the Prairies
Personal Preference for Park and Residential Trees High stem is not always desired Low branches for screening purposes Smaller, full and upright trees Flower sometimes dictates shape
Please do not do this!
When to Prune - Timing Optimum: early to late Spring Reality: October to late Spring In the nursery: Year Round
Well balanced, good pruning
Spruce and Bur Oak
Schubert and Dakota Pinnacle Birch
What if we do not prune? Nature will look after it Does it really matter? Will it look different? It works in the forest why is it not acceptable in urban areas we think we can improve upon nature but it will not look the same In general we plant different than in nature
Man-made versus Nature Natures way of pruning
Quote There are risks and cost to a program of action. But they are far less than the long range risks and cost of inaction. John F. Kennedy
Mass Plantings
Minimal Pruning required
Frequency of Pruning Juvenile Stage; until 4 to 5 years old, every year Adult Stage; from 5 to 20 years old, every 2 to 3 years Mature Stage; 20 to 40 years old, every 5 to 7 years Forty years old and over, every 10 years
Adult Stage, 5 to 20 years old Maintain leader (Up to what height? Page 443 Gilman) Trunk/Branch ratio, 2 to 1, 3 to 1? Keep the tree open and structurally sound Remove lower branching Who is responsible now? Do trees get pruned at this stage of life?
When was this tree last pruned?
Mature trees, 20 years and over Growth is slowing down at this stage Balance as needed Remove poor crotches Reduction pruning on co-dominant leaders Repair storm damage, wind, ice and flooding
Basic Pruning Tools Protective Clothing Pruners Saw, mechanical and hand Loppers Knife, pocket and shearing Hedge Shears Ladders Stakes Long handle or Pole Tape Pruners
Hand Tools
Orchard Ladder
Thank you for your attention Arnold Heuver Consulting Phone 403-862-2398 arnoldheuver@platinum.ca