Pruning Competition Trees

[sohner]

If a tree that has been selected for use in a TCC comp and it requires pruning in excess of acceptable standards then select another tree. We should not be looked at as hypocrites. The purpose in making this a spectator sport is to instill proper knowledge not look the other way because it is an exception to the rule.

I do oppose the idea of unneccessary pruning in excess that could potentially cause irreparable harm to the future health of the tree.

We are all responsible for all we tame...

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Said the Fox to the Little Prince

 

[Norm_Hall]

[ QUOTE ]
If a tree that has been selected for use in a TCC comp and it requires pruning in excess of acceptable standards then select another tree. We should not be looked at as hypocrites. The purpose in making this a spectator sport is to instill proper knowledge not look the other way because it is an exception to the rule.

I do oppose the idea of unneccessary pruning in excess that could potentially cause irreparable harm to the future health of the tree.

We are all responsible for all we tame...

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto!

We have passed on trees that would have been good comp trees in Illinois for that reason. We are professionals and must set the standards. Most of our comps are at city Parks, Forest Preserves and Arboretums. Trees that get thousands of guests. We are here to help, not to harm.

 

[Babberney]

Hooray for Illinois arborists!

I reiterate, when we gut a tree for a comp we are teaching spectators that this is the preferred method. It doesn't matter if the tree can recover; we can never recover that false impression.

k

 

[guymayor]

I apologize for misleading anyone by posting pictures before. I was misinformed--I do not know that they were of a tree that will be used in any phase of the competition. Someone was guessing about that, and I passed that guess on in error.

Sorry about that!

 

[Mark Chisholm]

No problem Guy! Sorry to have stepped in and deleted the pics, but the ISA is protective of possible trees for that event; and with good reason.

 

[RogerM]

One other thing not mentioned yet. With the recent surge of out of state volunteers that finish the days work and hop in the truck to location X to help set up and prune for the next days competition, is the possibility of introducing a disease to the host tree, possibly from an infected handsaw. This was brought to my attention by one of our guest climbers in KY. Might be a good idea to disinfect our pruning tools before we cut loose to set up an event. Thanks KB for bringing it to our attention.