If the questions above can be answered with a “No” then the removal of the branch can proceed. Care must be taken however, as removing too big a branch can lead to disease entering the tree via the wound/s left behind, or reduce the vitality of tree due to the excessive volume of leaf bearing material being removed.īefore any branch is removed the following questions should be asked: What will be the result of removing this branch? Will it leave a large wound? Will it remove a large area of leaf bearing material? Will it leave the tree open to an increased risk of disease?

These reasons could include improving the structure of the tree, to remove dangerous or defective branches the reduction of shading, the reduction of wind loading or to provide clearance between the tree and a structure – to name just a few.

There are many reasons why trees might need pruning. The minerals, along with the sugars produced via photosynthesis, are used to produce the flower and subsequently fruit to advance the next generation of trees. The tree roots absorb water and other essential nutrients and minerals from the soil, which are then transported to the leaves via tubular vessels called xylem. The sugars produced are transported throughout the tree via the inner bark area, known as the phloem, to where they are required sugars not immediately required are stored within the trunk, branches and rooting system. Through the process of photosynthesis the tree converts carbon from the atmosphere into sugars, which it uses to make the building blocks of cellulose and lignin required to sustain its self-supporting structure. An appreciation of the processes involved in the growth of tree will help us to understand the principles behind pruning.Ī tree is a dynamic living organism that has a self-supporting woody stem. Before we discuss pruning, we need to consider what a tree is and how it works.

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