About a fourth of the tree has been damaged. Should I trim back the entire tree? I'm not sure what kind it is. I don't want to kill it. Will trimming it back a lot harm it?
2007-03-14 17:46:48 · 6 answers · asked by erselius 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
A tree can survive a 25% reduction/thin/loss of live wood... To help you out here is what to do..
Wait until the bad weather has passes and the temperature is a bit warmer.. or ideally when the tree is in leaf.
D.D.D.X this is the key to maintaining trees, Dead, Dying, Diseased and Crossing branches.. Bare in mind you can remove any D,D,D branches before you have even touched on your 25% of healthy wood, them remove any Crossing branches. Finally reduce back any Torn/Snapped limbs..
Hey Presto.. a D.I.Y Thinning/Crown clean and reduction..
Hope that helps you out..
2007-03-15 11:23:38 · answer #1 · answered by PliNk_PloNk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Damaged trees should have the damaged branches removed as soon as you can cut. When you do this, the tree has a clean cut and not an ozzing wound to attract pests that can infest and kill the tree. Do not trim back the entire tree. A tree can only handle having 1/3 of its growth removed. If you remove more, the tree struggles to recover and often won't make it. Trimming the tree when damaged is a must. Do not prune in Spring, Summer or Fall. Trees should be pruned when they are dormant. Damage is the exception.
2007-03-15 04:06:51 · answer #2 · answered by juncogirl3 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remove any limbs that have been broken in the ice storm. Removing them will not harm the tree any more than it has already been hurt by the storm. Leave the rest of the limbs alone for now, but after a few years of regrowth you may want to prune the tree to a nicer shape if possible.
2007-03-15 05:58:13 · answer #3 · answered by lostinspace 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the cold temps have passed, it should be fine to trim now. It won't hurt the tree but watch for further damage through the branches and prepare to trim further back. The foliage will bulk up more from a trim but you will loose the shade size for this year.
2007-03-14 17:55:16 · answer #4 · answered by Sheris_Sweet 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i wouldn't do anything until the tree is free of ice. then trim the broken limbs about 1-3" away from the damage. if it happens to be a flowering tre or bush, you may not get as may or no flowers this year if the damage is to bad.
my expirence as a 35 yr gardner.
2007-03-14 18:31:22 · answer #5 · answered by bearfox_traders 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will have to prune the tree an inch or two into the healthy wood. It will probably survive.
2007-03-14 17:54:07 · answer #6 · answered by nancymomkids 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋