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Plant Health Care: Pruning Practices
Jan 30, 2012 01:45 PM
Many things have changed over the last 25 years in caring for trees. The focus has changed from an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to more of a Plant Health Care (PHC) Management. Integrated Pest Management focuses more on the pest of the trees and symptoms than the overall health of the tree. Plant Health Care looks at every part of the tree from the soil it is planted in, planting techniques (see our blog on tree planting) to the canopy and development of leaves and the pests that feed on them.
With Plant Health Care, more focus on improving pruning practices has been established. These standards are recommended through the ANSI A300 Standards:
- Do not top trees anymore because it exposes the tree to decay and causes weak new shoot develop just below the cut.
- Recommend not to seal the pruning cuts because it interferes with the natural wound closure, which is part of tree "compartmentalization".
- Recommended to use a 3-step cut technique to remove large branches. To do this is to cut 1st under the branch, 2nd cut on top of the branch and an inch or two above the bottom cut which causes the branch to drop. The 3rd and final cut is performed near the connecting branch just outside the branch collar. The branch collar is the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk or larger branch.
- Flush cutting branches off with the trunk exposes the trunk to decay and creates a risk of the branch ripping the bark of the trunk or larger connecting branch.
As we study and understand more about trees, the techniques of caring for trees may change. Our main goals are promoting the total health care for your trees as they are a valuable asset to your landscape.
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Plant Health Care: Pruning Practices
Jan 30, 2012 01:45 PM
Many things have changed over the last 25 years in caring for trees. The focus has changed from an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to more of a Plant Health Care (PHC) Management. Integrated Pest Management focuses more on the pest of the trees and symptoms than the overall health of the tree. Plant Health Care looks at every part of the tree from the soil it is planted in, planting techniques (see our blog on tree planting) to the canopy and development of leaves and the pests that feed on them.With Plant Health Care, more focus on improving pruning practices has been established. These standards are recommended through the ANSI A300 Standards:
- Do not top trees anymore because it exposes the tree to decay and causes weak new shoot develop just below the cut.
- Recommend not to seal the pruning cuts because it interferes with the natural wound closure, which is part of tree "compartmentalization".
- Recommended to use a 3-step cut technique to remove large branches. To do this is to cut 1st under the branch, 2nd cut on top of the branch and an inch or two above the bottom cut which causes the branch to drop. The 3rd and final cut is performed near the connecting branch just outside the branch collar. The branch collar is the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk or larger branch.
- Flush cutting branches off with the trunk exposes the trunk to decay and creates a risk of the branch ripping the bark of the trunk or larger connecting branch.
As we study and understand more about trees, the techniques of caring for trees may change. Our main goals are promoting the total health care for your trees as they are a valuable asset to your landscape.
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