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Use a 3-Cut Technique When Removing Large Or Heavy Branches to Prevent

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Use a 3-Cut Technique When Removing Large Or Heavy Branches to Prevent This brochure deals primarily with deciduous Where a branch attaches to the trunk, it is im- Use a 3-cut technique when removing large or opment and helps protect the trunk from sun- trees, although many of the techniques are portant that a branch collar form. A branch heavy branches to prevent the weight of the scald. Prune lower branches back if neces- also applicable to shrubs. We briefly dis- collar usually appears as a swollen area at the branch from tearing the bark below the cut. sary to control growth and remove them com- cuss shrubs, evergreens, and hedges. base of the branch, but may be difficult to see Make the first cut 12 - 15 inches from the trunk, pletely before they reach 2” in diameter. undercutting 1/3 of the way through the branch. in certain trees. It contains a chemically pro- Most trees will produce more branches than tective zone that helps slow or stop the pro- Just outside the first cut, saw from the top and Anatomy of a Tree remove the branch. Make the final cut just out- desirable for a strong, healthy, attractive plant. gression of decay. A tree does not actually When selecting permanent scaffold branches “heal” a wound, but walls off or compart- side the branch collar to remove the stub. When pruning trees and shrubs, understand- Don’t cut into the branch collar, as this will consider branch spacing and angle of attach- ing the plant and how it grows will make de- mentalizes damaged tissue to protect the rest ment. Branches should be evenly distributed of the plant. make the tree more susceptible to disease and cisions easier and reduce chances of dam- decay. If unsure, it’s better to err on the side of vertically and radially (around the trunk). age to the plant. Another factor to be aware of is the angle of caution and leave a bit of a stub. Closely spaced scaffold branches result in attachment of the branch to the trunk (branch fewer lateral branches and long thin scaffold Excurrent trees such as conifers naturally branches which will eventually cross and rub. grow with a single strong central leader crotch angle). The wider the angle the strong- er the attachment. Branches with narrow Training Young Trees A rule of thumb for minimum distance between (upright extension of the trunk) and smaller scaffold branches is 6” for every 10’ of mature branches growing out from the trunk. Many crotch angles, as well as co-dominant leaders, are weakly attached and more likely to suffer Purchasing trees that require minimal correc- height (so, at least 18” if mature height will be others, including most shade trees, are tive pruning makes it easier on the homeowner storm damage. However, some species natu- 30’). Don’t leave one branch immediately spreading or decurrent and tend to produce and the tree. Training the tree when young rally grow with narrow branch angles. above another one. Avoid multiple branches numerous competing larger branches. gives it more structural strength and makes it arising from the same location - the branch These need corrective pruning when young Always remove damaged or diseased branch- more resistant to storm damage. Ideally all collars will not be able to knit together. to produce a well balanced, structurally es, suckers, water sprouts, rubbing or cross- cuts should be made when branches are less sound tree. ing branches, double or co-dominant leaders, than 2” in diameter. Side branches should be no larger than 1/2 the diameter of the adjacent trunk (1/3 is pref- Double Scaffold competing branches, and branches with a leaders It was formerly recommended that 1/3 of the erable) or a branch collar will not form. Prune branches are weak angle of attachment. Broken crown be removed at planting time to compen- back partially if necessary to slow growth. Crossing branch the large sate for root loss. This is usually not necessary main branch- branches Making the Cut as long as the tree is given plenty of water. Don’t be intimidated by all these guidelines. es that at- Only remove broken or damaged material. Fo- It’s not possible to end up with a perfect tree. Water tach to the Two basic types of cuts are heading and thin- These are just some things to consider as you sprouts liage is needed to develop a strong root system Narrow trunk, with ning. Heading cuts reduce the length of a and overcome planting stress. Start structural decide which branches to keep and which to branch Wide branch smaller lat- branch and are made 1/4” above a strong bud training when roots are established (usually the remove. angle angle eral branch- facing the direction of desired growth, sloping second year for small trees) and continue over es growing down and away from the bud. This is done on the next few years. Don’t remove any more from them. young (1 year old) wood. A heading cut will than 1/4 to 1/3 of the foliage in any year. Mature Trees Suckers Branches stimulate growth only on that branch. Establish a single leader. Cut back any vigor- Most mature trees will need little pruning if and foliage trained when young. It’s best to leave all but are referred A thinning cut removes a branch at its point ous upward growing side branches that threat- of origin - at the trunk, another branch, or, in en to compete with the central leader. Upright minor pruning to a certified arborist, who has to as the crown. Undesirable, vigorous, up- the knowledge and tools to perform the job right shoots can grow at the base of the the case of some shrubs, at the ground. This (excurrent) trees should maintain a single lead- stimulates growth er to the top of the tree. Trees with a spreading safely and effectively. A chainsaw and a trunk (suckers) or from branches (water pickup does not make someone a qualified sprouts). throughout the plant. habit should maintain a single dominant trunk to at least 2/3 of the tree’s mature height. tree pruner, especially if he offers to top your Third Second cut trees. Topping produces unattractive dense A bud is a swelling that contains an unde- cut veloped shoot. Most plants have buds both 1/4” Select what will become the tree’s lowest per- twiggy growth at the stub and puts tremen- at the end of a branch (terminal) and along manent branch but do not remove others imme- dous stress on the tree. Stubs cannot form a the branch (lateral). Often lateral buds will diately. Keeping at least 2/3 of the height of callous, may collect water, and are susceptible remain dormant unless the terminal bud is First cut the tree as crown helps produce a strong trunk to disease. It’s often better to just remove the Branch taper that makes the tree more resilient in the tree and replace it with a more appropriate removed. collar Bud Cut wind, and also provides energy for root devel- variety. Deciduous Shrubs Evergreens When planting shrubs, choose one with the de- Evergreen conifers generally require less For more information on gardening sired form and a size appropriate to the location. pruning than deciduous trees and shrubs, es- please visit: It’s generally better to prune to enhance the pecially if care is taken in plant selection. Pruning Part 2: shape of the plant rather than to try to turn it into Most cannot be heavily pruned (yews are an http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state/ something it isn’t. Make selective pruning cuts - exception). If you cut beyond living foliage shearing is best reserved for hedges. into the “dead zone”, the plant will not regrow. hort.html If neglected too long, it may be necessary to or Practices A combination of heading and thinning cuts is remove the plant and replace it. call University of Illinois Extension usually necessary to produce and maintain an Knox County attractive, healthy plant. Heading cuts are used True pines produce candles (new growth) 309-342-5108 to control size, while thinning opens up the plant which can be pinched back up to 50% when to allow air and light into the center, reducing needles are still soft to control growth and Other information brochures can be found chances of disease. A more natural look can be make the plant denser. Pines do not have online at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ obtained by cutting branches back to different lateral buds and will not regrow if terminal hkmw/hort.html lengths and hiding pruning cuts under over- buds are completely removed. Other ever- hanging foliage. greens can be cut back to an active (green) Developed and Written by lateral shoot. Timing is less critical when Knox County Master Gardeners Many shrubs are planted for floral display. pruning evergreens. Some such as lilac and forsythia form flower University of Illinois Extension buds in the fall and bloom on old wood in the March 2013 spring. Pruning these severely before they Hedges bloom will result in reduced flowering. Others such as hydrangea and Rose of Sharon flower Most plants do not form a hedge naturally. in summer and fall on new wood that is formed Regular maintenance is required starting at in the spring. These can be pruned in late win- planting time. Cut back frequently to encour- ter with little effect on flowering. age dense growth. Hedges can be formal or informal. Formal hedges need frequent shear- University of Illinois ~U.S.
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