Pruning Young Trees
Trees that receive the appropriate pruning measures while they are young will require less corrective pruning as they mature.
By TreesAreGood®
International Society of Arboriculture
Pruning Young Trees
Structural pruning is essential in developing a tree with a strong structure and desirable form. Trees that receive the appropriate pruning while young will require less corrective pruning as they mature.
Set an Objective
Set an objective for why the tree will be pruned. For most younger trees the objective is to improve tree structure so the tree will be strong and not interfere with its surroundings as it matures.
Pruning Damage
Poor pruning can cause damage that lasts for the life of the tree. When a tree is damaged it must grow over the damage and the wound is contained within the tree forever. Make pruning cuts just outside the branch collar to avoid damaging the trunk.
Pruning Tools
• Small branches can be cut with hand pruners.
• Scissor-type or bypass-blade hand pruners are preferred over the anvil type because they make cleaner, more-accurate cuts.
• Cuts larger than one-half inch (1.27 cm) in diameter should be made with lopping shears or a pruning saw.
• Ensure tools are kept clean and sharp.
Establishing a Strong Scaffold Structure
Scaffold branches are a mature tree’s framework. Properly trained young trees will develop a strong structure that requires less corrective pruning as they mature.
Establishing a Sturdy Trunk
The goal is to establish a strong, central trunk with sturdy, well-spaced branches. This form mimics tree growth in forests where outward branching is limited by neighboring trees.
Developing A Leader
Most young trees maintain a single dominant, upward-growing trunk, called a “leader”. Do not prune back the tip of this leader, or allow secondary branches to grow taller than the main leader.
Codominant Stems
Sometimes, a tree will develop two or more nearly equal size leaders known as codominant stems. Codominant stems can lead to structural weaknesses, so it is best to remove or shorten all but one of the stems while the tree is young.
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