I was reading some of those little excerpts in the 2008 Sherrill catalog before tossing it. On page 8 it addresses the DO's and DON'T's of pruning. The statement says, "Don't trim live wood when trees are developing leaves in the spring or dropping leaves in the fall" I've read and heard dozens of times about avoiding pruning in the spring when trees are pushing leaves, but never anything about dropping leaves in fall. Did I miss something in Gilman's book? Any insights on this? Is it a generalization or species specific? The Sherrill catalog is the only place I remember seeing this
fall pruning
- Thread starter shreddy
- Start date
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
When the tree is sealing off the petioles it is taking energy to support these processes. Wounding the tree during this time forces a reallocation of energy resources.
Shigo spent time talking about this. I'm not sure where the best source of info would be found.
If I had to only do a small amount of pruning, personally, I would get the work done. If the tree needed a lot of work I would push it out in the schedule.
A Shigoism:
It's all about doseage.
Shigo spent time talking about this. I'm not sure where the best source of info would be found.
If I had to only do a small amount of pruning, personally, I would get the work done. If the tree needed a lot of work I would push it out in the schedule.
A Shigoism:
It's all about doseage.
mdvaden
Participating member
- Location
- Beaverton. Oregon
Shigo wrote that pruning can be done any time of year, and to try and avoid when leaves are forming or dropping. But he did not state it as an absolute or make a big deal out of it.
I've been pruning all 12 months for 30 years and never seen a problem with full-year moderate pruning.
Arborists really should not get side-tracked trying to be anal about skipping autumn pruning. Just going to hurt your business over something that is minor and inconsequential.
Many arborists have to miss work for inclement weather, stretches of holidays and holiday prep, and commonly a slow season. It's rediculous to add to a business disadvantage when autumn pruning works pretty good.
I've been pruning all 12 months for 30 years and never seen a problem with full-year moderate pruning.
Arborists really should not get side-tracked trying to be anal about skipping autumn pruning. Just going to hurt your business over something that is minor and inconsequential.
Many arborists have to miss work for inclement weather, stretches of holidays and holiday prep, and commonly a slow season. It's rediculous to add to a business disadvantage when autumn pruning works pretty good.
tomthetreeman
Participating member
- Location
- Rhode Island
Pruning maples (esp. sugars) in mid to late winter should be avoided. In years when the sap is running strong, the constant flow interrupts the normal CODIT process, ultimately leaving what looks like a 'slab' or flush cut. I know this from experience. On my own trees.
-Tom
-Tom
- Location
- NJ
But I like the Icicles that hang from them?
tomthetreeman
Participating member
- Location
- Rhode Island
Mee to.
tomthetreeman
Participating member
- Location
- Rhode Island
Yes, I would prune during leaf drop too. I have only seen problems with the mid/late winter pruning.
Another time to avoid pruning is during severe drought. Not too frequent around here.
-Tom
Another time to avoid pruning is during severe drought. Not too frequent around here.
-Tom
guymayor
Branched out member
- Location
- East US, Earth
If it needs to be heavy I'd wait, so I agree wiht dunlap for a change. mario it makes sense to schedule work for winter when the phone does not ring.
Gilman p 85 not real strong against.
Gilman p 85 not real strong against.
What I take away from Gilman's (pg 85/86) is, IMHO, an important qualifier in our business: "it depends".
Know your species and define your goal. As pointed out, some species seal better if pruned during the growing season rather than late fall/winter. Some seem to do fine whenever. Some actually have a narrow window due to insect or disease issues.
Knowing your species' growth patterns is important to help you determine whether fall pruning will be ok or not. Your particular climate will also play a large role in this decision. Here we do not want to stimulate a late flush of growth due to sudden and hard freezes (this year in early Oct we went single digit...not good on fresh growth).
Unless absolutely necessary, we will not prune live wood off maples and birches here in the winter due to the excessive sap flow you will get from the wound every time it warms above freezing. Although this is repeatedly said to be perfectly fine and will not hurt the tree. I was interested that Tomthetreeman has experienced negative results with it as well.
We get calls mid winter from people thinking that is the only time to prune trees....we tell them that is not necessarily true, by a long shot. But that is what they hear...prune while dormant. Many trees seal better if pruned while active.
Sylvia
Know your species and define your goal. As pointed out, some species seal better if pruned during the growing season rather than late fall/winter. Some seem to do fine whenever. Some actually have a narrow window due to insect or disease issues.
Knowing your species' growth patterns is important to help you determine whether fall pruning will be ok or not. Your particular climate will also play a large role in this decision. Here we do not want to stimulate a late flush of growth due to sudden and hard freezes (this year in early Oct we went single digit...not good on fresh growth).
Unless absolutely necessary, we will not prune live wood off maples and birches here in the winter due to the excessive sap flow you will get from the wound every time it warms above freezing. Although this is repeatedly said to be perfectly fine and will not hurt the tree. I was interested that Tomthetreeman has experienced negative results with it as well.
We get calls mid winter from people thinking that is the only time to prune trees....we tell them that is not necessarily true, by a long shot. But that is what they hear...prune while dormant. Many trees seal better if pruned while active.
Sylvia
