Spring trimming

R

Rickytree

Just wondering how many here are doing spring trimming or pruning during bud break and full leaf expansion? Who does warn of this when pricing jobs?
 
I scheduled "prune" jobs for after the leaf opening.

I do not "trim" trees, the utility row guys do and the other tree guys who top, leave the coat rack stubs and/or tear outs.

I consider the worst period from when the sugar maple sap starts to flow to the time the leaves are mostly open, "the bleeding period":)

We've done removals where we take a few days and certain trees bleed bad. White pines are the worst here. The sap flows glisten in the sun the next morning ready to coat our hands and everything we touch from saws, ropes to steering wheels. It's the only time of the year besides cold temps I like to wear gloves. We try real hard to get white pines done in a day during spring sticky season.
 
Trees that might not take it well I schedule for later.

Most trees take spring pruning very well. Better closure than late dormant period. The advice to avoid spring pruning seems overstressed.
 
Guy, what's your take on the bleeding? I've seen it cause problems with wound closure (maples), but it's been hard to predict when to avoid it. Thoughts?

-Tom
 
Trees that do well with it? Curious is this meaning trees that perhaps have a large annual growth showing the trees vigor? If so what about a slow growing hard wood like sugar maple or oak?
 
Tom re bleeding uhhhhhh no thoughts really--how bad do you see it affecting maple?

Ricky, annual growth is part of it but i was thinking of individuals not species. See the Hamburg Pruning Method.
 
Guy, what I see is bleeding affecting the wound closure process. A simple branch collar cut will not heal properly with heavy bleeding, and can basically end up looking like a flush cut after the bottom part of the branch collar rots away due to the bleeding effect. I think I ran this by you before.

-Tom
 
Frashdog: I agree with your view. I also "prune" trees I am also an "Arborist" not a "Treeman"!

As to the "Bleeding" question, Shigo expoused there is no harm so long as correct cuts are made, and lets face it, in New Hampshire he had plenty of Maples to test that theory on.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Frashdog: I agree with your view. I also "prune" trees I am also an "Arborist" not a "Treeman"!

As to the "Bleeding" question, Shigo expoused there is no harm so long as correct cuts are made, and lets face it, in New Hampshire he had plenty of Maples to test that theory on.

[/ QUOTE ]

Shigo liked to mention the 80%/20% rule. As right as Shigo was he was probably wrong 20% of the time. Loved that guy.
 
I was taught that the tree is putting out lots of its energy to produce leaves and cutting at this time only adds to the stress factor. Kinda made sense to me so I believed it. Cut on a Norway Maple in middle of winter and it bled like crazy.
 
"bleeding" doesn't matter imo. But how about all the all the bark splitting open when walking on lmbs? We will NOT trim from Apri to May; this year is even earlier. Don't you guys notice this stuff?
 
Xman how young are these trees your trimming and what size? I think that if a tree is in good health and last years growth is a good determination of that, spring trimming can be done with minimal harm. But with a tree that is stressed it's best in fall so energy can be made with the leaves and cut when not in use.
 
yeah i notice that cuts rip more easily and that the bark is really easy to tear/compress from ropes and boots. that seems to be the main problem. I have to work more slowly. affects productivity for sure. also, I don't prune any pears in bloom because of fire blight.

but i can't say that I have seen much harmful effect of spring pruning as far as overall tree health is concerned. I, too, believe the "don't prune during the growth flush" thang, but I see trees that others prune at "the wrong time" and they don't seem to be any worse for wear a few years down the road. It has definitely made me think that perhaps pruning in spring isn't the worst thing in the world. I haven't really done it much at all, only when the overall objectives of the pruning outweighed the small probability that the tree might be harmed.

anyone know of any research about this?

I like that 80/20 guideline!!
 
Hey Treco, 1/2 the people you know are below average
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Just f'n with ya
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I am also an "Arborist" not a "Treeman"!

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Is that some sort of dig at my screen name? Kind of immature for you if so.

As far as the bleeding, I have pretty solid evidence (on my own trees, in my own yard) that the bleeding causes the lower portion of the collar to decay and fall off. I have been asking other arborists (I'm one myself believe it or not) about this for a long time, and no one seems to know about these results.

I believe Shigo said to avoid pruning if possible while leaves are forming, and during abcission.

-Tom
 
No dig nor offense at all Tom. We, and I use the term collectively and inclusivly, are always griping about professionalism in the industry. So lets be professional and call ourselves what we are. Scott Prophett uses this illustration in his presentations: He has everyone intorduce themselves to the persons on either side by saying, "You are an excellent Arborist". It works to raise self esteem.

Tom, YOU are an EXCELLENT ARBORIST!!!
 
Thanks tom; I remember that now. Maples here--mostly rubrum--often die back below the circular area at the base of the branch (not 'the collar" because it forms no callus). Maybe the bleeding sap aggravates this, but have you noticed this pattern of bark dieback on trees without bleeding?

X yes we notice bark slipping--on some species much more care is needed than others. I'm crown cleaning an old white oak today--seasonality does not seem like a factor.

80/20 hah--Shigo was quick to point to his feet of clay, yet still today he's deified, when his general statements are taken as gospel. What Dujessiefken found out in 2006 is much more relevant here than what Shigo said in 1986.
 
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Tom, YOU are an EXCELLENT ARBORIST!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

HA! Thanks, Eric!

Guy, I haven't seen this particular issue on maples without the bleeding. At least I don't think so, but it's possible that when I see it I automatically assume that's the problem. As far as species, I have seen it on saccharum, platanoides and rubrum.

-Tom
 
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