Did you know that many structural defects that occur in older trees are preventable? Pruning trees when they are young helps ensure a strong and more structurally stable form as the tree grows. We call this practice structural pruning. It helps mitigate the need for more expensive tree care practices later in the life of the plant. Further, it can extend the lifespan of the tree by decreasing the likelihood of branch failures.
Growing conditions: forests vs. landscapes
Structural pruning of young, developing trees provides a desirable and stable form at maturity and is one of the best investments you can make in your landscape.
Forest trees tend to develop a sound structure in response to competition from other trees. Growing in the developing forest canopy suppresses growth of large, lower limbs. Dominant forest trees tend to maintain a single stem and narrow crown as they grow toward light. This produces a reasonably strong structure in mature forest trees.
Conditions are radically different, however, when you plant trees in a landscape. Exposed to full sun, trees will grow with a broader, more complex crown. Lower branches may grow very large, and limbs develop in close proximity to one another. Sometimes, multiple stems can develop. Certain species such as maple, elm, ash and dogwood are particularly prone to developing structural defects that increase the likelihood of branch failures. As trees mature and grow large, it becomes more expensive to correct these issues (if they can even be corrected).
Start structural pruning early
When trees are young and small, it is much easier and less expensive to undertake pruning that encourages the development of a strong form. Frequent assessment helps determine when trees need pruning to maintain structure and correct any deficiencies. On some species, you may need to schedule pruning as frequently as every two to three years for the first 10-to-15 years after planting.
During these years, an arborist prunes trees to maintain a single dominant stem unless multiple stems are specifically desired (for species such as birch or crape myrtle). The arborist will prune branches so their size remains proportional to the stem diameter at their point of attachment. Your arborist will also remove some branches as the tree grows to ensure adequate spacing between permanent scaffold limbs. This pruning process maintains the shape of the tree to provide a natural open grown form typical of the species.
Other important young tree care practices
In a manicured landscape, the value and benefits your trees provide increases as those trees mature. As such, you want to support their care over time to maturity. Structural pruning is a critical component. However, there are additional young tree care practices that are important to promoting healthy growth. Comprehensive care includes root care, proper irrigation and mulching as well as fertilization to help young trees become established.
As they are expending so much energy on growth, young trees are also more susceptible to insects and disease. It’s important to check regularly for signs of issues that will weaken a young tree.
