Reduction Pruning (to Increase Tree Beauty)

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Susan Mason

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Sometimes a tree just gets too big for its britches…or it hasn’t been cared for properly over the years…or perhaps some big branches have fallen victim to disease. This is where reduction pruning comes into play. This technique restores balance to a deciduous tree’s shape and reduces its size.

In cases where severe pruning is needed, it’s a good idea to spread the pruning over two seasons. You should wait to perform reduction pruning in fall – after all the leaves are off the tree and it’s dormant. Be sure to water faithfully the following season to keep your tree strong and encourage good health.

For step-by-step guidance, gather your long-handled pruners, plastic tape, a pole pruner, pruning saw, a tree ladder, gloves and protective eye goggles. Then just follow the steps shown in these pictures and described in their captions. If you prune correctly, your tree will look so good, passersby will hardly be able to tell it’s had its crown reduced.

Reduction Pruning - Step 1

Remove any dead, weak or crossing branches, trimming them flush with the trunk.

Reduction Pruning - Step 2

Evaluate the next cuts you’ll make by marking them with plastic tape. These cuts should reduce the canopy size by 25-33 percent and be symmetrical.

Reduction Pruning - Step 3

Use a pole pruner to remove all small foliage branches outside of the main cut markers, leaving bare branches.

Reduction Pruning - Step 4

Use a pruning saw to remove branches with three cuts: the first cut halfway and underneath, followed by a second cut halfway from above and outside the first cut. Finally, cut the stub off at the crotch with the trunk.

Reduction Pruning - Step 5

Select 3-5 laterals from each main branch for retention, then remove the remainder.

Reduction Pruning - Step 6

When you’re done pruning, spray the tree with horticultural oil (carefully following all label instructions) to eliminate boring pests and stave off fungal infections.

Warnings

Always sterilize pruning equipment before starting a new pruning session and between pruning other plants. A number of fatal and untreatable diseases are spread by using pruning gear on a succession of vulnerable plants. (A solution of 2 parts rubbing alcohol and 1 part household bleach diluted in 10 parts of water is the preferred cleaning agent.)
Remember that chain saw bars and chains cannot be effectively sterilized. It’s best to use these tools for woodcutting, but not for pruning if disease is suspected or known.

Facts

Reduction pruning is most frequently required for trees and shrubs that have been left without care for several seasons. They may have dead or dying wood, be misshapen, oversized or have all three problems. Removing diseased areas helps the plant recover, and increasing the amount of light and adding air circulation reduces the chances of the problem spreading.

Tips

Choose reduction pruning over topping a tree – reduction pruning maintains the shape of the tree, while topping drastically cuts back large branches and doesn’t take the natural shape of the plant into consideration.

Faqs

Q: How much of a tree can I prune at one time?
A: To be on the safe side, don’t prune any more than one-third of the plant at a time. It’s best to spread larger projects over a year or more.

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