improper pruning techniques

murphy4trees · Mar 25, 2003

Here is a 100'+ tulip that was pruned a year or two ago... The tree is owned by the brother of a local tree company's owner...
I talked to the climber who I think did the work He told me he doesn't like pruning.... There is also a low cable on a big branch growing towards the house... That may be hard to see (just about at the dog leg). I wouldn't have recommended a cable for that branch as it has a good crotch...
It may be hard to tell from this pic, but this tree is not a happy camper.... I think it was hit way too hard for a tree of its size and age and the limbs were lion's tailed... I don't expect to see the tree around in another 5-10 years... It looked very stressed last summer...
An old customer of mine lives right next door.... She's got lots of big old tulips which she has been asking me about pruning for a few years... They have good structure and seem healthy so I've advised against pruning them.
What do you think??

Toddppm · Mar 25, 2003

About the only pruning we ever do on Poplars is deadwooding, weak branch removal and trimming back from the house. They have naturally good branching and hardly ever seem to need any work. Doesn't stop the hacks from topping them though

treeclimber165 · Mar 25, 2003

About half the companies around here think 'pruning' means 'climb up as far as you can, or halfway up if you can get that far, and strip out everything you can reach on the way down'. The sad part is the customers don't know the difference. A big part of proper pruning is good climbing skills. Many mediocre climbers make a living pruning like what is shown in Murphy's picture.

Menchhofer · Mar 25, 2003

Same here. I cannot remember the last time I pruned a tulip.
Seems as if they are just selling her tree work she does not need.

Reminds me of last year I got a call from a family who wanted and estimate to trim two mature tulips in their front yard.
Upon inspection, I told them the trees needed nothing and suggested they save their money for something else. This year, I drove by the trees and noticed they were hacked back. What a shame and waste of money. Now they will need maintenance.

Seems even when you give some people proper advice, they ignore you and think they should still do something to the trees.

Menchhofer · Mar 25, 2003

Same here. I cannot remember the last time I pruned a tulip.
Seems as if they are just selling her tree work she does not need.

Reminds me of last year I got a call from a family who wanted and estimate to trim two mature tulips in their front yard.
Upon inspection, I told them the trees needed nothing and suggested they save their money for something else. This year, I drove by the trees and noticed they were hacked back. What a shame and waste of money. Now they will need maintenance.

Seems even when you give some people proper advice, they ignore you and think they should still do something to the trees.