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Sub-standard pruning
Why prune | Tree structure | Pruning
cuts | Prune at planting | Structural pruning |
Sub-standard pruning | Is pruning needed
Raising the crown | Thinning the crown |
Reducing the crown | Pruning home page
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Unfortunately, the trunk or large-diameter branches are sometimes pruned with heading cuts in order to bring a large tree
to a desired size (left photograph). This is called topping and is not recommended because it damages trees permanently. Heading
large-diameter branches causes many problems including massive decay in many species, weakly attached sprouts, and many dead
branch stubs. Topping occasionally kills trees. If a tree needs regular pruning to keep it small, perhaps the wrong tree was
planted in that location. Consider replanting with an appropriately sized plant, or else move the obstacle you were pruning the
tree away from and structurally prune to develop strong structure. Heading cuts can be used occasionally when restoring trees
following storms, and in other selected instances. Stripping out the small branches and foliage from the interior (lions-tailing)
of the crown also damages trees.
Topping (inappropriate reduction) examples: 1 |
2
Lions-tailing (inappropriate thinning) example: 1
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