Conforming to Simple Principles of Pruning Results in Good Pruning Examples

Not all pruning is by the disastrous ‘power-shaving’ method - there are plenty of examples where proper pruning principles were employed and the results are pleasing and make for continuing healthy growth. Much can be learnt about good pruning by examining completed pruning jobs.
The examples below illustrate adherence to simple principles of pruning. (Click on samples for larger pics)

 

Maple-Upright-V-Pruned-M_H160

Simple-V-Shape-Outline_H160

An overgrown twin maple configuration was cleaned up, leaving a simple structure that illustrates a simple pruning principle:

  • prune to create main branching in ‘V’ shaped patterns
  • select main branching and clean out dead and weaker inner branching

Maple-Semi-CascadeH160

WindBlown_Semi-Cascade_W160

An overgrown maple was rescued from a demolition site and cleaned up. It looked pretty much like the enlarged version of a similar shaved maple (click to enlarge). By preserving a reasonable rootball and severely thinning it out and selecting main branches, it resulted in a semi-cascade pruned mature maple (probably about 35-38 yrs old). Shown after transplanting.
>> Sketch shows a typical Semi-Cascade or Wind Blown Style.

MugoPine-SimplifiedStructure_H160

Mugo-Pine-2-Yrs-after-Pruning_H154

A Mugo Pine with two major trunks that previously was
overgrown, criss-crossing and dead branches on the inside.

First it was pruned to a simplified structure with selected branches to form the basis for future improvements (2015)

Second photo shows healthy fresh growth that has filled in to show a nice shape (2 yrs later)

 

 

 

The
Pruning Guy

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