Tree pruning 101

[Kris Shannon]

I'm new to the tree business, I've had some training in climbing and felling trees, but I've not had any in pruning. I don't want to turn away work because I don't know how to do something. I was asked to prun a tree to keep its "natural shape" what's the best way to do this?

 

[MasterBlaster]

Some say to cut all the suckers out and others say not to. I remove every leaf from the trunk out but I don't go too far and skin it out / lion's tail it. Remove all dead and crossing / rubbing limbs and ALWAYS make good cuts! On bigger limbs always leave the branch collar and don't make dog-eared cuts. I rarely do anything about the "shape" of the tree.

 

[BC WetCoast]

Depends on the tree and species.
Basics of crown cleaning are, remove:
dead
diseased
deformed
duplicate
rubbing or crossing

For most cases you will want to remove watersprouts and branches that grow from the outside to the centre of the tree.
Don't lions tale (leave a puff of foliage on the tip of the branch) - what this does is make for a long skinny branch with no taper and prone to future breakage.
When you make a cut, cut to a lateral at least 1/3 the diameter of the branch you're cutting. If you're cutting back to the stem, cut to the branch collar, don't flush cut.

If the tree is next to the road or driveway, raise the canopy so that vehicle won't hit it ~16'. If it's over the grass, I usually raise to the canopy to ~7' to allow the grass to be mowed without people getting hit in the head.

I try to balance the tree both in shape but also in texture. To me, a tree that is thin on one side and dense on the other doesn't look good.

The best compliment you can get is "I can't even tell it's been pruned".

http://www.treesaregood.com/treeowner/pruningyourtrees.aspx

 

[Jed1124]

I think you would benefit from working with someone with experience for a day or two. Maybe hire a guy to work with you on a couple of jobs. Nothing is worse than a poorly pruned tree.

 

[MasterBlaster]

The best compliment you can get is "I can't even tell it's been pruned".

Just like a good haircut!

 

[BuckmasterStumpGrinding]

Start your pruning career by removing what the customer asks you to remove and nothing more. When you see something that obviously needs attention point it out and ask them if they want it removed. When a customer directs you to butcher a tree you can warn them. It takes a while to learn what to trim and what not to trim. When you have trimmed enough trees you will see the final product before you start trimming. If you try and offer trimming before you are ready you will butcher trees and get a bad reputation. Some trees can not be made beautiful so be willing to turn customers down.