If you combined art and science, what comes to mind? Architecture? Leonardo da Vinci’s anatomical drawings? A beautiful automobile?                Tree pruning?

 

Before people arrived, trees got along just fine. However, as trees have become integrated into our modern landscapes, we have (hopefully) learned that when trees and people intersect, the trees require maintenance to promote both the health of the plants and the safety of the people and property within their vicinity.

 

Pruning can be defined as the intentional wounding of trees to achieve a desired outcome. It is a practice that truly combines both art and science, is a core discipline within arboriculture, and a critical component of maintaining the green infrastructure of our communities. We all have the innate ability to recognize when a tree is pruned poorly – think of a topped tree – but what does a properly pruned tree look like? The answer may be more nuanced as a well-pruned tree may not look pruned upon first glance.

 

Here are some reasons to prune a tree:

 

Which branches to prune and how much to prune can be thought of as prescription and dosage. Knowing where to make the pruning cut and at what angle are important considerations. Would a reduction cut be a better option than a large removal cut?

 

Like good pruning, the timing of this newsletter is intentional. Now is a great time of year to get out and prune trees! If you’re interested, take the time to educate yourself in the science of pruning – it's a large topic that can take years to fully appreciate. As both an art and a science, good pruning requires practice. Many pruning results are measured in years, so patience is a virtue. For resources on how to properly prune trees, please click on the links below.

 

Arboreally yours,

 

Southeast District Forester

(785) 410-6435

 

Additional Pruning Resources: