Prevent future tree damage - Tree Planting and Care

Taking preventive measures taken before a storm hits help trees grow stronger and become more resistant to damage.

Pruning to promote the growth of strong branches:

graphic: showing good branch angles of 10 and 2 o'clock

 

1. Encourage good branch angles. For most deciduous trees, narrow angle between two branches is a point of future weakness. A good rule of thumb for many deciduous trees is to keep the angles at 10 o'clock or 2 o'clock.

graphic: Showing strong branch trunk size

 

2. Encourage a strong branch/trunk size relationship. Ideally, lateral branches should be no more than half the diameter of the trunk.

graphic: showing  tree unstable center of gravity

 

3. Maintain a stable center of gravity. The center of gravity for a tree should be over the trunk. Remove branches on the leaning side and encourage branch growth on the opposite side.

graphic: Showing a tree with rubbing branches and suckers

 

4. Remove rubbing branches, suckers, and watersprouts.

graphic: Showing a branch  cut back to a stub

 

5. Don't cut branches back to stubs. Long, natural limbs on a tree are strong and can withstand storm-like conditions. If a branch needs to be removed, cut it back to the main branch or to the tree's trunk.

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