Plane Tree Pruning: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
Plane trees are stately trees that are often used in landscaping due to their rapid growth, disease resistance, and ability to be trained into various forms. However, proper pruning is essential to maintain the health and beauty of plane trees. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about pruning plane trees, including the best time to prune, different pruning techniques, and how to train young trees.
Best Time to Prune Plane Trees
The best time to prune plane trees is in late fall or early winter, when the tree is dormant. This allows the tree to heal from the pruning cuts before the new growing season begins. You can also prune plane trees in spring, but it is important to avoid pruning in summer, as this can stress the tree and make it more susceptible to pests and diseases.
Different Pruning Techniques
There are three main pruning techniques that are used on plane trees:
- Pollarding: Pollarding is an ancient pruning technique that involves removing all of the new shoots from a tree to promote the growth of the main stems. This technique is often used to create interesting and dramatic forms, such as lollipops or umbrellas.
- Canopy Form: A canopy form is an elegant, fun shape that plane trees respond to easily. To achieve a canopy form, you will need to prune the tree when young to promote a tall trunk and remove the lowest side branches.
- Young Tree Training: Young trees should be pruned in early fall to train them to grow into a strong and healthy tree. Avoid making vigorous or overly aggressive cuts, and focus on removing dead or diseased branches and shaping the tree’s overall form.
How to Prune Plane Trees
To prune plane trees, you will need the following tools:
- Sharp pruning shears
- Loppers
- Saw
- Sanitizing solution
Steps:
- Clean your pruning tools with a sanitizing solution to prevent the spread of disease.
- Remove any dead or diseased branches.
- Use pruning shears to remove small branches (up to 1 inch in diameter).
- Use loppers to remove larger branches (1-3 inches in diameter).
- Use a saw to remove branches that are larger than 3 inches in diameter.
- Make cuts just outside the branch collar, which is the slightly swollen area where the branch meets the trunk or another branch.
- Treat the cut with a sealant to prevent insect and fungal infections.
Training Young Plane Trees
Young plane trees should be trained in the first three to four years to develop a strong and healthy structure. This involves:
- Removing any suckers or water sprouts that grow from the base of the tree.
- Pruning the tree to a central leader, which is the main trunk of the tree.
- Removing any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other.
- Shaping the tree’s overall form by removing any branches that are growing out of shape.
Additional Tips
- Never remove more than one-third of a tree’s canopy in one year.
- Avoid pruning plane trees in summer, as this can stress the tree and make it more susceptible to pests and diseases.
- If you are not comfortable pruning plane trees yourself, it is best to hire a professional arborist.
By following these tips, you can keep your plane trees healthy, beautiful, and thriving for many years to come.
