University of Florida

Home > Pruning shade trees > Practice pruning > Structural pruning needed

Structural pruning needed

back buttonnext button

young tree needs pruning

This young tree is developing three main stems, one in the center of the canopy, one on the lower right, and one a bit farther up on the left. While these are secured to the tree at the moment, continued growth is likely to result in a weak structure. It is better to preventively prune now than to attempt to correct this problem later. Remove the two upright stems (large arrows) but leave the lateral branches each is growing from (smaller arrow).