This is not the way a tree should be pruned

A great deal of care should be used when selecting an arborist as the decisions this person makes will affect the life and health of the tree. A wrong decision by an arborist could result in a poor pruning job and the development of internal rot resulting in a hazardous situation causing property damage, personal injury or death. As the owner of the tree you must base your decision to hire an arborist on the knowledge and qualifications of the individual who will be pruning the tree.

Note Internal Rot This branch was improperly cut resulting in internal rot. This creates a tree that may not withstand high winds, rains or snow storms. A competent arborist will prune a tree to improve its health and strength and form the tree using professional standards. Following are a few of the points which the arborist should be able to discuss with you. A competent arborist also should be willing to sign a written contract agreeing to do the job to these specifications.

A Dead Branch Stub Due to Improper Pruning

Pruning Guidelines

1. Remove dead, dying, diseased, interfering (rubbing) and weak branches ( to include branches with included bark.)
2. All cuts must be made sufficiently close to the parent stem so that the wound may `heal' properly.
3. Long stubs should be avoided. Such stubs can serve as a point of entry for insect and disease organisms to move into the nearby live tissue.
4. Pruning cuts should be clean and smooth with the bark at the edge of the cut tightly attached to the wood.
3. Cuts on all limbs one inch or over in diameter should be done in three stages to prevent splitting.
5. All branches three and one-half inches or more in diameter should be lowered to the ground with ropes.
6. Pruning tools should be disinfected after each tree before moving to the next.
7. If tops or large side branches must be reduced, the drop crotch method shall be used. The leader shall be cut back to a strong lateral branch one-third or more the size of the leader, avoiding any stub.
8. Climbing spikes or spurs should not be used except to rescue a fallen worker or when completely removing a tree.
9. Wire, rope, nails, and other foreign materials should be eliminated. Climbing vines should be removed from the tree.
10. The tree should be examined for defects that might require additional attention.
11. No more than one-third of the live foliage of a tree should be removed at one time without good reason. There are exceptions, such as when pruning peach and nectarine trees for fruit production.

A tree damaged by `Topping'

`Tree trimmers ' who suggest trees be topped should be avoided.

Topping a tree causes internal rot and will eventually result in a hazardous tree. Topping is the indiscriminate removal of branches and stems that leaves stubs. Often this type of pruning is done at the height of the reach of the tree butcher's bucket truck. The alternative is to hire an arborist willing to climb.

Community parks and Recreation and/or Forestry Department frequently maintain a list of qualified arborists. Your local Cooperative Extension office may also have such a listing.