Pros and cons of spiral pruning on large conifers

Anthony G said:
Nice. Thanks for the feedback. I do agree with you that firs typically don't fail mid trunk without some kind of weakness present like girdlin or a old cavity. We do see blower of big firs after storms tho. I do try to reduce branch length when the clients are keen. Are there any other methods you apply. Obviously mychorriza is great forroot health
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My pleasure!

We actually haven't gotten into a very holistic care of the trees. I am aware of it, it's just a matter of not dividing my business attention in actually offering it.

I do recommend mulching, and discourage things that are bad for soil health like traffic, etc. Micorhizzae (sp?) Can be beneficial, but as I understand it, they are usually already around, it's just a matter of improving the soil conditions so they can thrive. Mulch is a great starting point.

I should actually remember to sell mulching more then only recommend it.
 
Evan Sussman said:
My pleasure!

We actually haven't gotten into a very holistic care of the trees. I am aware of it, it's just a matter of not dividing my business attention in actually offering it.

I do recommend mulching, and discourage things that are bad for soil health like traffic, etc. Micorhizzae (sp?) Can be beneficial, but as I understand it, they are usually already around, it's just a matter of improving the soil conditions so they can thrive. Mulch is a great starting point.

I should actually remember to sell mulching more then only recommend it.
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Totally. I always recommend mulching within the dripline
 
Many people just don't have an appriciation for the natural and prior environment of their trees. These often grew up in forests, and then the lots were cleared. That's a huge difference for the roots, let alone the canopies. After the "covering" is stripped even foot traffic and mower traffic adds to compaction and big changes in the rhizosphere.
 
Anthony G said:
It's pretty tough to do that to a 125foot fir. It's basically topping which we are against
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Not topping, lateral reduction/ end weight reduction. Get to the high tie-in, and come down toward the outside of the canopy, pruning a handful of feet off of each branch. SRT, for sure. Leave an access line, btw, and climb back up the trunk, descend another swath, pruning along the way.

Two SRT lines, one slack, as back up, is ideal. Your lanyard won't be on strong wood.



Google NICHO DANKERS LARGE CONIFER CARE !
 
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I hardly sell mulching. I leave it to them, their landscaper, their son, whatever.

I rarely haul, never dump at the green waste recycler. Chip-drop.in helps!
 
southsoundtree said:
Not topping, lateral reduction/ end weight reduction. Get to the high tie-in, and come down toward the outside of the canopy, pruning a handful of feet off of each branch. SRT, for sure. Leave an access line, btw, and climb back up the trunk, descend another swath, pruning along the way.

Two SRT lines, one slack, as back up, is ideal. Your lanyard won't be on strong wood.



Google NICHO DANKERS LARGE CONIFER CARE !
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Nice post! I like the referenced article too. There's a good image in there that's annotated to show the pruning I'm advocating.
 
southsoundtree said:
Evan, I just edited my last post... Have you seen/read Nicho Dankers at ISA?
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I don't think I had read that before, and I definitely missed him. Regrettably I missed the conference last time it was in Washington. Not going to miss them in the future. PNW ISA conference is in Lynnwood this year. I hope to see you there Sean!
 
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