Pruning basics

[doctorragamuffin]

I have a question about "pruning".* I think I'm finally coming to the conclusion that I might overthink and overcomplicate this a bit. . .

When you're looking at pruning for shape, for example, is the idea that you want to basically prune off anything that isn't going to contribute to the shape you want?* Let me give an example -- I've got a maple tree, red maple, I've had it about 4 years now.* It seems like it has finally well - accomodated to the soil and is really started to take off, but the shape of it is more or less like a pipe - cleaner!* It is growing up almost as much as it is growing out.* Now, if I go in and, for example, prune off of the lower branches any growth that is "on the top", i.e., growing up rather than out, will that tend to influence those branches to grow more horizontally?* How does that accomplish that, anyway?* In some way does it tend to "weigh down" the branches so that they tend to hang down and thus retard their vertical growth?* It won't tend to break them off, will it??

I feel like an idiot about such things!

Dr. Ragamuffin

[Newt]

You said, "When you're looking at pruning for shape, for example, is the idea that you want to basically prune off anything that isn't going to contribute to the shape you want?"

The basic answer is yes.* Pruning is a bit of an art as well as a science.


You said, "I've got a maple tree, red maple,... but the shape of it is more or less like a pipe - cleaner!* It is growing up almost as much as it is growing out."

The reason for this type of growth pattern is most likely the fact that it was grown in crowded conditions in the nursery.* That leads to trees that look like this.

You said, "Now, if I go in and, for example, prune off of the lower branches any growth that is "on the top", i.e., growing up rather than out, will that tend to influence those branches to grow more horizontally?"

Unfortunately the answer is no.

This site is especially good for info on pruning young trees.
http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/B949-W.HTMl

Some great info here, especially the pics showing where and how to prune.
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/ho...ne/prun001.htm
http://dspace.library.cornell.edu/bi...and+Shrubs.pdf

This might be a bit too much info here, but if you scroll through this site it will give you an idea of how trees should be grown in the nursery and what to look for.* At the first link on the page for 'Selecting quality trees from the nursery', do especially read through their page 45 and on about trunk and branch structure.* It's a power point presentation.
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/powerpoints.html

Lots to read here, especially at the bottom of this first page and the links on the left under 'Trees'.
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/pruning/index.htm

Hope that helps,
Newt