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Pruning cuts on raised trees
Trees react internally when canopies are raised, especially when many branches are removed at one time. Negative impacts are greater when large cuts are used. To minimize the impact on mature trees, reduce the length of low branches where practical instead of removing them to help preserve the trunk.
Raised young tree
Raising young trees by removing several low branches is standard practice. This is part of normal tree care that provides clearance under the canopy. Its better to remove low branches at this age than to allow low branches to become large such as those shown in the other three photographs. |
Raised established tree
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Raising mature tree
Large removal cuts on large trunks can result in large pockets of decay (right photo). Reduce the large low limbs instead of removing them where this is practical. |
After raising and structural pruning
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