How to Prune Young Shade Trees
“As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.” This insightful old bromide about children might just as well serve as the cardinal principle for pruning young shade trees.
15 years or so after planting: a tall, straight trunk and a full, healthy crown with strong, well-spaced branches … a tree that casts a broad expanse of sheltering shade, that resists damage by wind and ice, that is easy to maintain.
But it looks more like a big, rambling bush than a well-groomed shade tree. Its low-growing branches obscure streets, driveways, and walks, posing traffic hazards. Many branches have been damaged during storms, and weak, unsightly shoots sprout in abundance. Maintenance is badly needed and will now be expensive.
What made the difference? The tree at the right was properly pruned when it was young. The tree at the left was neglected.
This bulletin explains how pruning young shade trees is a simple, straight-forward task. It is a job that needs to be done, whether by you for the trees in your yard or by your community for the trees on public property. In any case, proper pruning will save money in the long run and give you safer, more beautiful, healthy, easy-to-maintain trees.
In This Bulletin
Here’s what’s inside:
- A Tale of Two Trees – a look at the development of a well-pruned tree compared to one that hasn’t been pruned
- Pruning for Strength – what to look for when pruning to grow a stronger, healthier tree
- Pruning for Form – how to approach pruning to help shape a tree that is aesthetically pleasing and serves well in the space
- Keys to Good Pruning – tips to help you successfully prune your trees
- When to Prune – an overview of when to prune and why, broken down by season
- Pruning Is a Vital Part of Any Urban Forestry Program – guidance for integrating pruning into a community’s tree care plan
- For More Pruning Information – suggestions for where to find more pruning tips and guidelines
