Print This Page

Pruning - No Paint


Winter is the time to do major tree pruning if your trees need to be pruned but remember that limbs are pruned off trees for your benefit not for the tree benefit.

If limbs are bashing into the side of the house or your car windshield as you enter the driveway or into your face as you mow the lawn - cut ‘em off. If you need more light down to plants growing under trees, cut some limbs off. But remember that all these reasons are for your benefit.

When you cut a limb you hurt the tree. Thinning does not help a tree’s health. Now, when limbs do need to be moved make a clean cut leaving the branch collar - no flush cuts please and do not use any pruning paint of any kind. Not only is it a waste of money, it’s detrimental. The wounds will heal slowly.

  Search Library Topics      Search Newspaper Columns