RE TREE PRUNING

jimmy mac · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 70

Hi again iwas just going through previous posts an i came across one about tree runing.I have being staking 70 silver birch these last two evenings and i am taking off the lower branches up to about 5.5 feet.They are 20 feet tall and have just been planted.Can anyone tell me if this is a bad thing for the health of the tree.I have 15 done with 55 left to do and i did not think that this would be any harm??

Liparis · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:05 pm Post subject:

You are probably better leaving them until they get established. Plus, Betula aren't really huge trees so they would look better being left and allow the trees to cast what branches they prefer to themselves.
At the moment, you are asking the trees to establish as well as heal wounds at the same time, you could be inviting die-back.
Bill.

jimmy mac · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 70

Cheers for the advice liparis.Unfortunately i have spent the last 4 days pruning and staking.Heres hoping that I havent done any major damage

Liparis · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:51 pm Post subject:

Fingers crossed you may not have caused damage, but they might look a little odd for a few years. Being quite resilient they might put branches back on where it matters through time.
As a matter of interest, other trees I wouldn't prune, except selectively (if branches are crossing and rubbing etc) would be sorbus species and cultivars, they always look better unpruned. But that may be a personal preference.
Bill.

jimmy mac · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 70

Once again the deed is done that is if sorbus = mountain ash .I am trying to upload some pics of both birch and ash but i am not sure how .Any advice (i am adding an attachment by browsing filename but nothing hapens???

James Kilkelly, was GPI. · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 12:02 am Post subject: Re: re tree pruning

jimmy mac · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 70

GPI thanks for that ill have a look jimmy

jimmy mac · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 70

Here are some pics of the aformentioned ash and birch

jimmy mac · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 70

and another i am compressing the pictures but they get very small so i dont know if they are very good

jimmy mac · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 70

thats better ??

Liparis · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:26 am Post subject:

I'm afraid that doesn't look too natural for those type of trees. It's just not how they grow. I don't think (fingers crossed) you have done any damage, apart from the shape.
Bill.