Catalpa pruning

[R_Schra]

This Catalpa was topped 8-9 years back. The owner comitty(church) never wanted that to happen. They called a pruner at that time and got a hack.

I have to admit that it was the first time i pruned a Catalpa this size. I know 4 equal or bigger/older like this one around here. Wow what does that wood smell when cutting. Also very abresive bark. It was hard to get the wood down without braking small twigs. I needed to cut small pieces so no twigs would brake away when you needed to pull or drop. I also had to be carefull and climb 'light footed' as the regrowth didnt look to stable at the former topped cuts. It was a 2½ hr climb to do. I had it quoted less wich i had to make up with 6 linden at the back.

 

[Mark Chisholm]

I did one today. One thing that amazes me is how they need such little cambium to support the leaves. Many limbs will look dead 3/4 of the way around, yet still have full leaf cover. Plus they're always looking knarley and also look much older than they are.

 

[guymayor]

was it very rotted at the topping cuts?

Nice work and pics as usual, Schra, thanks!

 

[R_Schra]

[ QUOTE ]
was it very rotted at the topping cuts?

Nice work and pics as usual, Schra, thanks!

[/ QUOTE ]

Hai Guy,

The wood wasnt rotted much at all. Only on the codominant on the right the top was hollow. That was an even older decay as from that topping. I think this catalpa was about 40-50 years as it is supposed to be planted along with the linden. Most regular catalpa's here are destroyed on early age by the strong winds. Also people tend to use it as a fashionable tree. when it gets 'big' they cut it down and replace. widely used catalpa's here are those round 'ball' like grafted onces /forum/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

This is a pic from an 80+yr catalpa attached. its also infected with Ganoderma fungus /forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[R_Schra]

the fungus at base.

 

[R_Schra]

lean of the trunk (wind blown in past) The pole is 50cm for a red or white part (2meter total) and placed vertical at 90 degree of the lean.

 

[guymayor]

I was just in an oak with ganoderma today. Hit by lightning 6-8 years ago, we've been keeping it around...infection is now 1/3 of the base. I go back next week to reduce a branch that is failing.

I still think the tree will last out the decade or longer.