8. PRUNING WORKBOOK Flashcards
True/False – Poor pruning practices can shorten the life of a tree and increase the likelihood of structural failure.
True
True/False – In the absence of included bark, the size of a branch in relation to the trunk is more important for branch attachment strength than the attachment angle.
True
True/False – Tree wound dressings accelerate wound closure and prevent decay.
False
True/False – Arborists should be aware that removing or disturbing active bird nests, especially of protected species, is illegal in many locations.
True
True/False – Trees that tend to ‘bleed’ should never be pruned in early spring because it can cause a major decline in vigor.
False
True/False – As a general rule, mature trees are less tolerant of heavy pruning than juvenile trees.
True
Name five objectives for pruning trees.
- Improving structure
- Reducing risk
- Providing clearance
- Managing crown size
- Crown density
The majority of pruning by most arborists follows a ____ pruning system.
Natural
If two branches (stems) develop at the tip of the same stem, they may form ____ stems.
Codominant
____ bark is bark that becomes enclosed inside the attachment as two branches grow and develop.
Included
When training young trees, a dominant leader should be selected and competing leaders should be removed or ____.
Subordinated
When practical, temporary lower branches should be left on a young tree to help develop trunk ____.
Taper
Removing too much foliage can have adverse effects on a tree, resulting in the production of ____ on interior branches, which is often a tree’s reaction to overpruning.
Water sprouts
The swollen area at the base of a branch where it arises from the trunk is called the ____.
Branch collar
A ____ cut removes the larger of two or more branches, stems, or codominant stems to a live lateral branch or stem. Cutting Large branch down to a small
Reduction
____ are substances, usually effective in small quantities, that enhance or alter the growth and development of a plant. (Antigibberellins)
Plant Growth Regulators
When pruning young trees, it’s important to train for a dominant leader and well-spaced scaffold branches to:
a. minimize the need for future pruning
b. develop a structurally sound crown
c. minimuze codominant branching on the trunk
d. all of the above
d) All of the above
To prune trees that flower on the previous year’s growth and maximize flowering, you should prune:
b) Shortly after flowering
When pruning a branch from a tree, the final cut should be:
d) Just outside the branch collar
When it comes to pruning, as a rule, mature trees are:
c) Not as tolerant of severe pruning as young trees
If the height of a tree must be reduced, branches should be cut to a lateral one-third or more the diameter of the branch removed. True/False
True
Specifications for pruning should be written in accordance with the American National Standards Institute) _____________
ANSI A300
________ is a training system that involves severe heading cuts the first year followed by sprout removal annually or every few years to maintain a desired size or appearance.
Pollarding
The selective removal of dead, diseased, broken, or weakly attached branches. It also includes the identification and removal of structural defects.
Structural Pruning
Formed by overlapping and intermingled branch and trunk wood and is often representative of a strong union.
Branch Collar
Pruning cut that removes a branch or stem between nodes (leaving a stub), to a bud, or to a live branch that is less than one-third the diameter of the stem being removed
Heading Cut
Chemically and physically modified tissue within the trunk or parent branch at the base of a smaller, subordinate branch that slows the spread of discoloration and decay from the subordinate stem into the trunk or parent branch.
Branch Protection Zone
Branches that will be left in place for the life of the tree, often forming the initial scaffold framework of the tree.
Permanent Branches
Branches (generally lower branches) that are left in place or subordianted but will be removed later
Temporary Branches
Permanent Branches that form the scaffold or structure of the tree
Scaffold Branches
Pruning that can improve structure and appearance. Meant to restore the crown structure by removing watersprouts, stubs and dead branches. Usually performed after storm damage
Crown Restoration
Cutting leaves, sprouts and branches to a desired plane, shape, or form, as within a topiary system. Typically performed on shrubs.
Shearing
Pruning to reduce interference with people, activities, infrastructure, and buildings.
Clearance pruning
Selective removal of branches to guide and/or discourage growth in a particular direction.
Directional Pruning
A secondary or subordinate branch or root
Lateral
Consists of an undercut and a top cut on the branch, then a final cut to remove the stub after the branch has been removed. Top cut is performed directly above the bottom cut.
Drop Cut (rigging)
The space created by a saw cut (the width of the chain or blade)
Kerf
Cutting technique in which offset, bypassing cuts are made so that a section can be broken off easily.
Snap cut (bypass cut)
In a snap cut, the second cut, also known as the back cut, is made ?
Opposite and slightly above the first cut.
Pruning stimulates the growth of buds in ________ by disrupting apical dominance. When the growing tip is removed, the suppression caused by auxins is lifted, allowing cytokinins to activate dormant buds and promote lateral growth
Angiosperms
Plant hormone that plays a critical role in the growth and development of trees. It is primarily produced in the apical meristems (growing tips) of shoots and roots
Auxin
Reduction cuts larger than _______in diameter should be avoided on species that are poor compartmentalizers.
a. 1 inch (2.5 cm)
b. 2 inches (5 cm)
c. 3 inches (7.5 cm)
d. 4 inches (10 cm)
d. 4 inches (10 cm)
What pruning system does the shearing cut belong to?
a. Espallier
b. Topiary
c. Natural
d. Pleaching
b. Topiary
________ is typically used to create a dense crown by stimulating growth from dormant and adventitious buds.
Shearing
Pruning cut that removes the smaller of two stems at their union, such as the removal of a branch from the trunk.
Branch Removal Cut
As a general guidline, plant growth is maximized if pruning is done just before the ____ ______, in late winter or early spring.
Buds Swell
When using the three-cut method, the first cut begins __ to __inches away from the branch union.
6 to 12inches
Branches that are too large to be supported by had should be removed using the _____-___ ______.
Three-cut method
