jade3•1mo agoOG Member

Old timer told me I was pruning too cautious on a big maple in Elmwood

I was up in this huge silver maple near the high school in Elmwood last Tuesday, taking off what I thought was enough deadwood. An old retired arborist named Hank was watching from the sidewalk and called up to me, saying I was leaving too many crossing branches that'd become hazards in two seasons. He pointed out three specific limbs that looked fine but were rubbing bark off each other. His exact words were 'you're pruning like you're scared of the tree, not helping it.' I've been second-guessing every cut since. Has anyone else had an old hand call them out on being too safe?

2 comments

2 Comments

casey_barnes1mo ago

Man, Hank sounds like a classic old school arborist who's been around the block. He was probably right calling you out on being too safe. Crossing branches that rub bark off each other become weak points and can snap in a storm, leaving a mess. I've seen guys get called out for the exact opposite too much cutting. Trees need a firm hand not a timid one. Sounds like Hank did you a favor honestly.

patel.daniel1mo ago

I read somewhere that trees actually communicate through their roots and can tell when they're being pruned wrong. Kinda makes you think about how much damage a bad cut can do. Hank probably knew that firsthand.