Structural pruning

ATH said:
Why didn't you want to take 2?

Not saying you were wrong...like you said often there aren't clear choices. We can all learn from each others thought processes!
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Taking out the middle leader/s is often the best way to broaden branch union angles and provide nutrient flow to promote quicker compartmentalization of wounds. Taking off outside leaders is an Impulsive holdover of low limb lopping. Not saying that you do that - I know that you likely do it as infrequently as I do. When I train staff to go for the middle leaders they resist it and I've just come to realize that low limb lopping - which we were most all exposed to when we formed our first reference point - is the reason for that resistance. This union as it appeared in the photo (@oceans correction that it was different in person) would not be a low limb lop due to it height in the crown, but perhaps the sentiment still applies.
 
colb said:
Taking out the middle leader/s is often the best way to broaden branch union angles and provide nutrient flow to promote quicker compartmentalization of wounds. Taking off outside leaders is an Impulsive holdover of low limb lopping. Not saying that you do that - I know that you likely do it as infrequently as I do. When I train staff to go for the middle leaders they resist it and I've just come to realize that low limb lopping - which we were most all exposed to when we formed our first reference point - is the reason for that resistance. This union as it appeared in the photo (@oceans correction that it was different in person) would not be a low limb lop due to it height in the crown, but perhaps the sentiment still applies.
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...and he can subordinate one of those leaders and further broaden the union angle with a cut at 12" above the union in the next cycle.
 
colb said:
Definitely ready to burn the witch... ×D
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I assume you’re referring to approximately 40% of the tree’s crown laying on the ground in a brush pile? In that case, we can burn 30 witches, and these trees aren’t far from Salem, MA.
 
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evo said:
Got a head count of the current cabinet? I can easily match your 4k
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The only count I have is:
- One, the 15 plants we installed today. 5 trees and 10 assorted understory species. Looking forward to structural work on these in another year or 2! My chipper should be fixed by then so I may not have any stake material.
- Two, the number of minutes before I fall asleep since I’m whooped!
 
I got into some Sugar Maples recently. I gave these trees their first dose of structural pruning about 3 ago and I’m pretty happy with how straightforward the work was this go round.

I think that considering the overall growth potential of a tree can help inform how aggressive to be with acute angles of attachment and co-dom suppression/removal. Being Sugar Maples, I aimed for training the central lead as high as possible, so it’s been a 2 dose approach so far, each in an effort to remove anything with less than a 45 degree interior angle of attachment.

Having reduced or suppressed several branches with the intention of future removal, these were easy to spot and they served well to build strength and taper, and shelter other laterals into great form and extension. Most all previous wounds were fully closed and the trunks were ready for a few larger cuts to be made.

Here are a few shots of some things I ran into…

Before…
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The most congested node…
IMG_6979.jpeg

Some minor surgery…
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After…
IMG_6986.jpeg
 

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oceans said:
I got into some Sugar Maples recently. I gave these trees their first dose of structural pruning about 3 ago and I’m pretty happy with how straightforward the work was this go round.

I think that considering the overall growth potential of a tree can help inform how aggressive to be with acute angles of attachment and co-dom suppression/removal. Being Sugar Maples, I aimed for training the central lead as high as possible, so it’s been a 2 dose approach so far, each in an effort to remove anything with less than a 45 degree interior angle of attachment.

Having reduced or suppressed several branches with the intention of future removal, these were easy to spot and they served well to build strength and taper, and shelter other laterals into great form and extension. Most all previous wounds were fully closed and the trunks were ready for a few larger cuts to be made.

Here are a few shots of some things I ran into…

Before…
View attachment 98641

The most congested node…
View attachment 98642

Some minor surgery…
View attachment 98645

After…
View attachment 98644
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You nailed it! Great job
 
Does anyone find that about 8 to10" dbh "teenage" trees grow in spurts 2 or 3 year cycle? My volunteer maple that I suppressed/guided about 3 years ago went wild with au naturel growth pattern this spring. I looked up and said wtf when did that get there?!
 
I haven't seen a cycle, per say. But, yeah...I think it is kinda a proportional thing. When the tree is 2-3" in diameter, it is not quickly adding 2-3" branches. When it is 10", we might ignore a 2" branch - then next thing you know its a 4-5" branch. I've certainly seen 1/2" rings on trees that age, so 1" diameter per year is within normal range. I keep samples to show people: "If we pruned it here (2-3 years ago), it would have been with hand pruners and a small cut. Instead it was a pretty big cut with a saw. Don't delay young tree pruning too long or it gets out of hand."
 
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