Ask An Arborist: What are the Rules of Pruning?

[@michaeldougfir9807]

Good presentation. It's good also that you spoke of the tree limiting the pruner in applying those rules. I am an arborist in rural NE California. There are many neglected trees around here. I do limit what I take off, and advise the client that it will take a few pruning seasons to catch up to where the tree should be. (And the reasons why.) I have pruned many trees from NJ to Calif. It is my belief that one of the most neglected trees in America is the Apple tree. I have subscribed and look forward to any fine details you care to share about pruning and other tree care.

[@myerflyer]

Rules of pruning: 1. Keep 2/3 of the branches and leaves on the tree. 2. Don't remove more than 1/3 of the branches in 1 year. 3. Branches attached at the trunk shouldn't be more than 1/2 of the diameter at the point of attachment. 4. Pruning cuts should only be 1 inch in diameter. 5. No more than 5 pruning cuts in 1 year.

[@PotatoTroll]

What about rule 3 when talking about two competing leaders?

[@myerflyer]

@PotatoTroll I literally wrote this for some random highschool assignment I have no idea what any of this is anymore

[@TeaSpiracy]

Hi Pete, I'm A.Z. and I've done a hack job on my Dads trees. I did more than 5 cuts and if youre only supposed to do 5 a year then lets just say it will be at least 2 decades before the tress I scalped will ever need my "help" again.

[@MrSparkums]

Great vids, best I've seen! Thanks!

[@arbordayfoundation]

Thanks Mark! Glad you got some use out of them.

[@tomrosekopf2672]

I have a new Braeburn apple tree almost seven feet tall now. Do I prune any branches this soon?

[@kr7767]

I have a young elm tree in Florida and it’s been there for 2 years. Still has smaller branches and some have leaves on the ends but nothing in the middle of the branch. Should I prune those?

[@svetlanit]

Dosnt look like anybody answering our comments

[@deshad1000]

what causes a vertical perpendicular growth on pruned lateral branches

[@japanesemaplepruning]

really hard to make rules or general statements about pruning...way too many variables

[@danielminnich1755]

The trees should be able to take care of their own selves don't you think!?...

[@michaelgusovsky]

sure, they can. but, sometimes people prune trees to optimize growth, direct the growth of the tree, remove unhealthy branches, optimize fruit yield, etc. i let my avocado and apricot trees grow unpruned, as it was my first attempt growing trees, i had issues like the biggest branch of the avocado tree bending down from the weight of the fruit, where it was basically on the ground, and apricot tree, branch breaking off from weight imbalance.

[@nowherefast-]

Landscape tree's* he mentions at the beginning. A tree planted in the open doesn't have the same growing restrains as a forest and benefits from our interaction and maintence.

[@stevedunne1571]

And people shouldn’t need doctors and dietitians. But they do.

[@japanesemaplepruning]

tree in nature do, we prune for human interests