Branches

[jwhf]

I have heard several conflicting ideas so was wondering if anyone has a definitive answer.

Basically, I was wondering whether or not it 'damages' a tree to take live branches or should you always take the deadwood.

Cheers

Jonny

 

[ChrisKavanaugh]

Live branches should be cut in winter or cold when the sap isn't running. Thats when your orchardmen are out doing annual pruning. A good book on pruning wil help you see which branches removed will actually benefit the tree, ie sucker branches, weak branches interfering with robust and damaged by injury. Finally and most important! Unless the Vicar or Police Sargent are within earshot,say Thankyou to the tree!

 

[grumit]

allways make a clean cut near to the trunk as possible to help it to calas
over

 

[Jack]

Dear JWHF.


If you are going to 'prune' a tree, as a rule of thumb, make sure that you do not cut flush with the tree but slightly proud of the trunk so that you retain the barky swelling called the 'branch bark ridge' this will insure that the wound heals properly or you can put stockholm tar on it as this helps to prevent bacterial attack.

Cheers.

jack.

 

[ChrisKavanaugh]

One more refining trick; cut at an appropriate angle to encourage runnoff of any rain or dew that collects on the cut. Even a small bit of standing water can encourage trouble.

 

[Jack]

Good point Chris.

Also remember that everytime we 'damage' something in our woodlands we are also creating as new habitat for something else, for instance, if we do cut a branch of a tree this can lead to bacteria and fungus invasion and in time this cause a 'rot hole' and as the hole gets bigger it starts to fill with water. We have, believe it or not, 33 diffirent species of mosquito in this country and out of this 33, 3 species live exclusively in tree holes, have a good look at some beech trees the next time you pass them and have a look for these rot holes and they are sometimes a good source of water, but boil it first!!.........or give it to a mate to try!!!

Best wishes.

Jack.