Pruning trees the right way/ correcting water sprouts

Pruning trees
www.backyardbushveld.co.za

[@Dwl7842]

So far this has been the best explanation for water sprouts. i was wondering why my Eureka Lemon tree was doing the same (i trimmed it to the best of my knowledge and it was wrong) and now I see how to correct my mistake. Thank you!

[@BackyardBushveld]

No problem, glad I could’ve been of some assistance. That tree has recovered nicely since this vid. Due for another trim and follow up this winter.

[@itouchtheskyilovetrentino]

Thanks for teaching us how to prune trees. Very helpful. Cheers from the top of the mountain.

[@eb8625]

Nice explanation. Do you have a video/pictures of the tree after completing the new prune? Would be interesting to see. Thanks

[@BackyardBushveld]

Thanks Kim! Oh I just assume it gets seen in the vids😂 but that’s a great idea. I’ll be sure to make a follow up vid as soon as I catch up after all this rain. Everything is behind schedule now

[@TaraBissonnette-d3i]

Thanks!

[@BackyardBushveld]

Wow! Thanks so much!

[@carelwolhuter8091]

Very good video, Travis!

[@ThinkVomit]

I learned the most from this video and I’ve watched a lot so far. So the branches that are growing tall and just go straight up should I be cutting those off. I say this because the tree was also cut and damaged and now have these thin branches going straight up and very high.

[@BackyardBushveld]

Thanks! Yes, you’ll need to start thinning out those branches by choosing the strongest and most natural looking ones, and then remove all the thin ones around those. Just follow the directions for the required cuts as per the vid. It takes a few years to rectify one bad cut unfortunately. Mines nearly there but still needs attention.

[@yulai3818]

Would be nice if you show the result of the tree pruned the right way so we can really see what you mean.

[@BackyardBushveld]

Oh I probably will in the next month or so. I need to clean it up again so perfect timing

[@reeshenreddy1197]

Good video, I have exactly this effect after some contractors did some pruning and was wondering how to go forward.

[@BackyardBushveld]

Thanks again! Ja, it’s a real pain. I might even remove both trees. Although, that’s just because they’re one of the messiest trees I have. The waterbessies are next, but they are ridiculously heavy. The best way of repairing them is to do what I’ve done and just let them grow ugly for a year or so. This way they grow lots of new ‘true’ branches and you can then choose those which are at the size that you want or trim the stronger water sprouts to form new branches. Ideally, wait for new natural branches to grow as water sprouts are much weaker

[@cottonrobinson9401]

Isn’t reducing the tree more than 1/4 of its canopy considered to be a practiced pruning technique? Or taking reducing cuts to where the new leader is 1/3 the size of the existing branches diameter. As not doing so can cause the tree to die off?if the desired is to rid the tree of suckers and water sprouts wouldn’t cutting any branches that are below horizontal is why the suckers and water sprouts are forming is the branches are horizontal or below then sucker growth will not take place

[@BackyardBushveld]

Great questions! I can’t says what’s considered common practice. However I can say that ‘common practice’ is not always correct practice. Regular, correct pruning will reduce water sprouts as the tree is under less stress etc, by default. In all circumstances, a certain desired result might change your pruning requirements, so I assume it is still a factor of each to their own. The point I was hoping to emphasise is to maintain more often, therefore reducing overall stress and the desire to prune back heavily. My tree is an example of doing things the wrong way. I’ll do a follow up on this in a few months to show progress.