Why prune - Aggressive low branches grow to be large, requiring removal

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This tree was planted a few years earlier with a dominant leader and good structure (top left). Main branches continued to grow larger during the next fifteen years (top center). The large low limb on the left side of the trunk had to be removed because it was obstructing lawn mowing operations (top right). This left an eight-inch wound on the trunk (bottom left). Although the wound began closing the first (bottom center) and second (bottom right) year after pruning, cracks and decay is likely behind the pruning wound.

Soon after planting	Fifteen years later	Low branch was in the way
Pruning left huge wound	Closure one year later	Closure two years later

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