AMF Mixed Topics
Sun-27-07-2014, 21:20 PM
Hi Fred
If you are looking to prune walnut,plum or cherry trees then now is the perfect time to do this.
Although most trees are best pruned when dormant (ie during autumn/winter), those you have mentioned are among the exceptions.
Cherry will bleed sap heavily if pruned in early spring. Also cherry and plum will be left open to disease,namely silver leaf spores,which are not present in the summer months.
So i suggest cracking on with the pruning tout de suite!
Start by removing any dead or diseased branches,and any rubbing against other branches as this can open up wounds in the wood and allow infection.Nice clean cuts only please,so appropriate pruning saw is essential, and clean saw between trees to avoid any cross contamination. And be sure to avoid bark tears as the branches fall,as this will also lead to infection,or at least a longer healing process.
Once dead branches etc are safely removed,remove branches crossing centre of tree or growing inwards to create a clear centre to allow air flow through canopy.
Then, time to step back and see whats left before the cosmetic process of creating a nice shape can begin.
You can be quite harsh with pruning cherry and plum. They will both put on masses of new growth in response to a good trim. Only problem with this is some of the new growth will need to be pruned away over next couple of years to allow light to penetrate canopy creating happy and healthy trees.
Make sure all cuts are flush to branches/trunk just outside the branch bark collar (google this to see more info). This will give cuts best chance of rapid healing.
Alternatively, employ a professional tree surgeon. My number is ***************!
Happy pruning.
If you are looking to prune walnut,plum or cherry trees then now is the perfect time to do this.
Although most trees are best pruned when dormant (ie during autumn/winter), those you have mentioned are among the exceptions.
Cherry will bleed sap heavily if pruned in early spring. Also cherry and plum will be left open to disease,namely silver leaf spores,which are not present in the summer months.
So i suggest cracking on with the pruning tout de suite!
Start by removing any dead or diseased branches,and any rubbing against other branches as this can open up wounds in the wood and allow infection.Nice clean cuts only please,so appropriate pruning saw is essential, and clean saw between trees to avoid any cross contamination. And be sure to avoid bark tears as the branches fall,as this will also lead to infection,or at least a longer healing process.
Once dead branches etc are safely removed,remove branches crossing centre of tree or growing inwards to create a clear centre to allow air flow through canopy.
Then, time to step back and see whats left before the cosmetic process of creating a nice shape can begin.
You can be quite harsh with pruning cherry and plum. They will both put on masses of new growth in response to a good trim. Only problem with this is some of the new growth will need to be pruned away over next couple of years to allow light to penetrate canopy creating happy and healthy trees.
Make sure all cuts are flush to branches/trunk just outside the branch bark collar (google this to see more info). This will give cuts best chance of rapid healing.
Alternatively, employ a professional tree surgeon. My number is ***************!
Happy pruning.