Ask The Expert

 

Our knowledgeable staff here at Garden-Ville are available to answer many of the questions you might have about gardens, landscaping, and trees. Many problems with plants, however, cannot be responsibly diagnosed other than in person. We're located in central Texas and may not be familiar with the details of gardening in very different climate or soil zones. One of the guiding principles of organic growing is adapting methods to the particularites of local soil and climate. With that in mind we'll do our best to answer your question, but if we can't we'll be happy to help you find the appropriate resources or professionals in your area.

Feel free to browse the topics below to see if we've already answered a question similar to yours. If you can't find the information you need, the question submission form is located at the bottom of the page.

  • I planted a live oak about 2 years ago that was about 7 feet tall. I have left the lower four branches (about 4 feet from the ground) and all are growing in an upward position. The tree is doing very well in that it is now about 18 feet tall and the main trunk has increased in size. When, and should I cut the bottom branches off? Its natural growth at the top is excellent. I am concerned if I cut the bottom branches off that it will disturb the fast growth and natural lines of the branches at the top..Thank you for your help.

    1/27/200912:38:56 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    Tree Questions

    You can remove 1/10th of the foliage in a given growing season without any harm to the tree. Branches 4' from the ground would typically be removed sooner or later, although there's no imperative to do so. You can remove them once removal wouldn't involve a major loss of canopy. Taking off the bottom branches will tend to increase growth at the top of the tree rather than restricting it.

    One consideration is the diameter off the branch being removed relative to the trunk or branch it attaches to. You shouldn't remove branches that are more than 50% the diameter of the parent branch or trunk. Doing so produces wounds that the tree has difficulty callusing over. As an example of this, if the trunk is 6" thick at the point of removal the branch being removed should be no more than 3". If the branch to be removed is more than 50% you should instead prune the end of the branch, removing more than half of its foliage. This will stunt the growth of the branch in subsequent seasons relative to the trunk. Eventually it will meet the necessary ratio for removal.

    Cuts should be made at an angle away from the trunk, taking care not to damage any of the trunk tissue that overlaps at the base of the branch.If you live in an area where oak wilt is a threat you should immediately paint any cuts (black spray paint is fine) to prevent infestation by the beetles that spread the disease.

Add Comment
Name
Comment

Categories

Archives

Ask Your Question Here




Question?