Quality timber production is imperative for every timber producer in Texas, as it attracts a premium price on your product. With that in mind, one of the most reliable tree care methods to achieve that is through pruning. It is equally important to consider other important aspects of your tree crop, which include assessing your tree crop’s health, growth habit and structure. The key advantage of tree pruning is that it controls the development of major defects in the structure of the tree.
Tree care should be cost effective and easy to execute. Thus the ideal time to tame development of defects is when the tree is easy to reach, and that is at a young age, preferably under ten years. At this stage, you will be looking at two types of pruning, namely Singling and Formative pruning. These help to guide the shape of the trees by creating a straight single stem, and a well balanced branch structure. A pair of secateurs or loopers is all you need for this type of pruning and the task involves removal of multiple leaders, coarse lateral branches, as well as rubbing and crossing branches.
The more advanced pruning methods are done later in the life of the tree that seek to make the tree free from external knots. Knot-free timber command a better price, as they are structurally stronger, have a better visual appearance, and can be easily veneered. The applicable types of pruning that best achieve this are High Pruning and Brashing.
High pruning makes use of a Pole Saw of High Pruner and involves removal of all branches, to a height of over 2 meters. Brashing removes the lower head branches within the range of 6 feet, and makes use of a Brashing saw. These two types of pruning are costly and labour intensive, require protective clothing, and are applied where there is potential to yield timber at a premium price, enough to cover the high cost.
Timing of your pruning is also very important. It has been proven that the best time to prune is when a tree is in full leaf in late summer. Summer climate is not only ideal for outdoor work, but also ensures quick closure of the wound, just before winter.
Pruning may have side effects, in that it can cause decay in the stem of the tree if not done properly. It is advised not to remove more than a third of a tree’s branches, as you would risk undermining a tree’s ability to carry out important physiological processes such as respiration and photosynthesis. Unbalanced pruning is also not good for the stability and structure of the tree. Therefore, do not prune one side and leave the other.
There is risk of wind damage if you prune the trees in the outer rows of your tree farm. It is advisable therefore to conduct a site specific risk assessment before commencing pruning work. This will ensure safety of both the workers and the health of the trees post pruning.
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