I have a Japanese Maple that was planted about 4 years ago. It is a multi trunked tree which has grown too big for where it is. However, if I were to take off one of the trunks, it would be fine. Is there a problem with doing this? The tree has two main trunks up from the graft and the one I would like to remove would be the smaller of the two. The current diameter of that branch / trunk is about an inch to an inch and a half. If this is OK, is there a best time to do so and are there special precautions I would need to take. My only other option would be to relocate the whole tree which I would rather not do. thanks Dan
There should be no problem with removing a branch of that size I have done it myself without difficulty, when I decided to transform a two limbed Senkaki to a single trunk tree many years ago, and it now looks much better for that Cut with a sharp clean garden saw and seal with Arborex (a wound sealant) or the like to keep out any disease etc I always prune when the plant is dormant as Rima says Good luck
do not use pruning 'sealant'. it does not stop decay nor disease and in fact may promote it. The exceptions would be areas where oak wilt is present and dutch elm disease. " Wound Dressings Wound dressings were once thought to accelerate wound closure, protect against insects and diseases, and reduce decay. However, research has shown that dressings do not reduce decay or speed closure and rarely prevent insect or disease infestations. Most experts recommend that wound dressings not be used. If a dressing must be used for cosmetic purposes, then only a thin coating of a nontoxic material should be applied. " quoted from : http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/pruning_mature.aspx
Well ... there are obviously many 'experts' around in the world today I don't use a wound sealant to reduce decay or speed closure. However I would dispute that they don't protect against insect or disease infestations. I have used it with great success over many many years At the end of the day you take your choice over differing opinions .....
sure, the international society of arboriculture does seem like a dubious source of tree care information and I guess Alex Shigo also should also be ignored. anyhoo, to each their own.
Now that sounds rather rude to me Jimmy. I wonder why you feel the need for that sort of response? I can see that there has been some research to demonstrate that wound sealants do not speed up wound closure or reduce decay. It also claims that 'rarely' does it prevent insect or disease infestations. That doesn't mean that it doesn't. My own experience over 40 years has tended to show positive results to such treatment. Are you suggesting that it is positively harmful to do so? Your 'experts' don't seem to do so. The wound here will be rather large. I would never dream of leaving such a large wound without some protection. It is a valuable tree. At the end of the day it is Dan's tree and he must make his own decision
wound sealers can actually interrupt wound closer by killing the living cells in some cases. trees have their own capabilities for "repairing" themselves and have for forever. just make sure to do a proper cut and it should be fine. i wouldn't use a sealer either, especially in the winter when disease and insects are more scarce.
It wasnt the intention to be rude, I actually started another thread here regarding the lack of emoticons, with which I would have put a little smiley face of sorts to attempt to reduce the inflammatory nature of the response. I do however feel that the sources (as well as Hilliers manual of arboriculture, Claus Mathecks decay strategies in trees, Harris's arboriculture 4th edition ) and three different books by alex shigo that are on my shelf that I flipped through prior to claiming that wound selasants are not a good idea, ALL state that it is unnecessary and in general unwarranted. Some state that it can be detrimental and some state that it can be beneficial in some instances (and I refer to at least two instances in my first response in this thread, oakwilt and dutch elm disease, neither of which affect maples). So I stand behind my suggestion to not use a pruning sealant. Indeed the final choice rests with the original poster and all we have done is tried to enlighten someon with facts, thoughts and ideas about the subject of his question. if you wish to insist on using the product, and insist it is a good thing, I as a tree care professional would be interested to see any literary reference or research paper showing the when and why information. Lots of 'experts' thought flush cuts were a good idea 30 years ago, they have been shown that they were not correct, the industry has benefitted from open minds and further research and discourse. to end this post, I am not trying to be aggressive or arrogant, I am sharing my thoughts and opinions and welcome anyone else to do so. :)
Hi Dixie, I dont mean to split hairs but... according to Shigo, trees (and shrubs) don't 'heal' (as in repair or regenerate tissue) they 'seal' as in they attempt to stop the spread of decay. (CODIT) I wanted to address the post simply because I am trying to change my own vocabulary to be more precise and accurate when it comes to plant care. :)
yes, I understand CODIT. that is why i put "repair" in quotes. to be correct I should have used compartmentalize. i was being lazy.
no worries, :) this snowy weather has me getting a bit of cabin fever, cant keep myself off the boards. and no offence meant at all!
none taken. it is good to make sure that people understand the difference. i am hoping for snow here before the end of the day :)
If there were emoticons available I would use a smiley here, the reason being that I think this is at least a part of the reason behind my comment on experts .... opinions change frequently I am aware that even the Royal Horticultural Society suggest that the use of wound sealants are only helpful in certain circumstances. However, like Mr Shigo, they acknowledge that in some cases they can be beneficial or at least helpful I simply deal with my own experiences and from learning from those more experienced than myself
