Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community
Old 08-31-2009, 10:17 AM   #1
VladtheImpaler
Franchise Player
 
VladtheImpaler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Calgary
Exp:
Default Pruning Trees - Best Done When?

I have a couple apple trees I need to prune. Should this be done in late fall or early spring? Also, any other tips or cautions would be much appreciated...
__________________
Cordially as always,
Vlad the Impaler

Please check out http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...94#post3726494

VladtheImpaler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 10:34 AM   #2
octothorp
Franchise Player
 
octothorp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: not lurking
Exp:
Default

Late winter / early spring is best; you can get away with doing it any time it's dormant, but ideally you want to do it about a month before they'll actually start to bud out, I think.
octothorp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 10:38 AM   #3
Ford Prefect
Has Towel, Will Travel
 
Ford Prefect's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Exp:
Default

I like doing it in the fall after the leaves have dropped and when the sap is falling. During the winter is good too, but I try to avoid doing it in the spring when the sap is rising as that causes them to "bleed" more. That's only for major pruning though. Minor pruning to get rid of suckers or new limbs to shape the tree can be done at any time really.
__________________
A statesman is a dead politician. What we need is more statement
-Opus in Bloom County
Ford Prefect is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 10:40 AM   #4
Barnes
Franchise Player
 
Barnes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Violating Copyrights
Exp:
Default

Isn't it any month that ends in 'r'?
Barnes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 10:41 AM   #5
Methanolic
Lifetime Suspension
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: SW
Exp:
Default

Last Wed. I pruned my 2 hawthorn trees, they're about 50 years old.

Then on Sunday I was listening to am 770, and they said never prune trees when they have leaves on them.....Great!!!
Methanolic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 10:42 AM   #6
Ford Prefect
Has Towel, Will Travel
 
Ford Prefect's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Barnes View Post
Isn't it any month that ends in 'r'?
That's a workable rule of thumb, but I don't think September is optimal. And if you don't mind freezing your knackers off, January and February are okay.
__________________
A statesman is a dead politician. What we need is more statement
-Opus in Bloom County
Ford Prefect is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 10:51 AM   #7
Komskies
Franchise Player
 
Komskies's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Calgary
Exp:
Default

I'm going to go ahead and say never. Let the laziness prevail!
Komskies is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Komskies For This Useful Post:
Old 08-31-2009, 11:14 AM   #8
the lemming
Backup Goalie
 
the lemming's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Calgary
Exp:
Default

This is a great thread. My wife was telling me to prune a couple of our trees yesterday. I told her that I didn't think it was the best time (she suspected laziness). I meant to do some Googling but this thread might just provide the answers I was looking for. CP rocks!

My gut was that I should wait until fall/dormancy.
the lemming is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 11:18 AM   #9
Komskies
Franchise Player
 
Komskies's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Calgary
Exp:
Default

All joking aside, I have had the best experience pruning trees in February/early March. If you can find a relatively warm weekend and there isn't too much snow on the ground, you can get two birds stoned at once and take down your Christmas lights and prune your trees at the same time.
Komskies is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 11:21 AM   #10
Shazam
Franchise Player
 
Shazam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Memento Mori
Exp:
Default

Dead stuff: anytime.

You shouldn't cut green wood unless absolutely necessary, as it opens up a wound that can lead to infection.
Shazam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 11:45 AM   #11
urban1
Scoring Winger
 
urban1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Exp:
Default

The government's Department of Agriculture puts out a booklet that can be had for $3.

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$departm...sf/all/agdex22



Quote:
Table of contents
  • Pruning Tools
  • Plant Terms to Know
  • Basic Principles of Pruning
  • Pruning Techniques
  • Pruning Deciduous Ornamental Trees
  • Deciduous Tree recommendations
  • Pruning Evergreen Tress
  • Pruning Shrubs
  • Shrub Recommendations
  • Pruning Roses
  • Pruning Tree Fruit
  • Pruning Bush Fruit
  • Conclusion
  • Further Sources of Pruning Information
urban1 is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to urban1 For This Useful Post:
Old 08-31-2009, 02:26 PM   #12
Suzles
Powerplay Quarterback
 
Suzles's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Section 219
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shazam View Post

You shouldn't cut green wood unless absolutely necessary, as it opens up a wound that can lead to infection.
Just scrub the wound with a bit of household strength Lysol straight after cutting. Never use pruning paint as this can seal in bacteria. The tree is living and heal the same as we can.
Suzles is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 02:31 PM   #13
Rerun
Often Thinks About Pickles
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Okotoks
Exp:
Default

I assume all this good advice (prune when the sap isn't flowing anymore) doesn't hold if you are pruning dead or almost dead limbs from a tree?

edit: nm.... I see Shazam answered my question
Rerun is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 02:55 PM   #14
Buff
Franchise Player
 
Buff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: I don't belong here
Exp:
Default

Some trees don't apply to the "Monthe ending in 'r' " rule. I have a white birch and it should be done in July. One spring I decided to prune mine and I got one branch cut and it started bleeding sap like a waterfall. My neighbour, who used to have a white birch, saw me and came rushing out to tell me that I'll just kill my tree. They were told that the middle of July is best, as spring and fall is when this trees sap really flows.

It doesn't make too much sense to me, but they are the ultimate green thumb peeps, with a perfectly kept yard, so I decided not to temp fate, and only prune my white birch in July.
Buff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 03:23 PM   #15
Calgaryborn
Lifetime Suspension
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Creston
Exp:
Default

Google "branch collar" and try to find a picture of a tree close to your trees species. If you make your cuts to the base of the branch collar and are careful not to cut into the collar the tree will heal quickly. If we aren't talking about fruit trees three main cuts should be 90% of the work. Think big. Decide before you start if you are wanting an umbrella shape to your finished product or a cone shape. The rule of thumb is you can remove up to one third of the tree safely.
Calgaryborn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 04:04 PM   #16
sclitheroe
#1 Goaltender
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Exp:
Default

What is the benefit to pruning? I have a choke cherry tree in my front yard that is demonstrating fantastic growth year over year - I kinda like it looking big brash and bushy...

So does pruning do anything to improve the health of the tree? Can I just let it grow unchecked?
__________________
-Scott
sclitheroe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 04:04 PM   #17
Shazam
Franchise Player
 
Shazam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Memento Mori
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Suzles View Post
Just scrub the wound with a bit of household strength Lysol straight after cutting. Never use pruning paint as this can seal in bacteria. The tree is living and heal the same as we can.
These solutions have been shown to be ineffective. Just wait till your tree hardens up the new wood. No need to be impatient.
Shazam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 06:36 PM   #18
Calgaryborn
Lifetime Suspension
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Creston
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sclitheroe View Post
What is the benefit to pruning? I have a choke cherry tree in my front yard that is demonstrating fantastic growth year over year - I kinda like it looking big brash and bushy...

So does pruning do anything to improve the health of the tree? Can I just let it grow unchecked?
Pruning dead wood helps keep trees healthy. Beyond that pruning is all about shaping the tree. You can inspire new growth or slow the growth of your tree depending on how and when you prune. You can also control the direction of new growth to fill in holes or prune to avoid the tree growing into an areas you want open. If your tree has the room to grow and you like its look then leave it alone. The truth is any time you prune a tree you are cutting it. Also, trees unlike humans don't heal when wounded. They just try to compartmentalize the wound and grow around it.
Calgaryborn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 09:55 PM   #19
redforever
Franchise Player
 
redforever's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Exp:
Default

Some trees should be pruned for their own good. As in certain apple and fruit trees. Many have quite a horizontal growth pattern. Add on a full load of fruit and the branches start to bend and be prone to breaking. And with the spring snow storms we get, those type of trees are more prone to breaking with the extra weight of the snow.

I have one crab/apple cross with this type of growth pattern, and I prune it quite regularily, in the fall when dormant. On the other hand, I also have a Dolgo crabapple with more of an upward growth and I don't need to prune it quite as severely.

Of course, if I dont pick the fruit in time, Mr. Bear comes along and prunes the fruit trees for me. He has proven to be a terrible horticulturalist.
redforever is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-31-2009, 10:03 PM   #20
Titan
First Line Centre
 
Titan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Exp:
Default

Okay Johnny Greenthumbs.

We have 5 columnar aspens in our backyard. They are in a west to east line. The Western most one is about 30% smaller than the others. They were all bought and planted the summer of 2007. The westerly one has recently drawn the attention of wasps. I am thinking of getting a firepit and swingset. Seriously, there was about 50 wasps crawling all over it but not on the others. Any thoughts?
Titan is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:59 PM.

Calgary Flames
2023-24




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright Calgarypuck 2021