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Leader intact/branches broken
This
tree will be easier to restore than many trees because it began with a good
structure. The small diameter branches on trees with a dominant leader structure
broke a good way out from the trunk. This kept the trunk and the branch unions
intact. The restoration process seeks to encourage good structure mostly by
guiding growth toward the center of the tree.
Treatment:
Since the leader is intact, this will be relatively simple. First the canopy
was cleaned by removing dead branches and reducing broken branches back to lateral
branches were possible. You will notice that at least one heading cut (center
of lower left photo) was made on this tree. This is appropriate when the only
option is to remove a long branch back to the trunk, when removing the branch
back to the trunk would result in an unbalance canopy, and when the branch is
relatively small in diameter. Sprouts can be managed
beginning in a year or two to encourage good structure. This process will require
several prunings over a period of five years or more. (See: details of sprout management)
