Quote:
Originally Posted by boa07  Part of my concern right at the beginning of this thread was to highlight why I felt that pruning of established mature and significant co-dominant stems is an area of great concern for any arborist. We probably should enter into the discussion of the growth control pathways. (and I would like to do that with you Bob, because I know your forestry experience would teach me a hell of a lot)
SF  |
I started to address this a little in post #19. I'll try to get more specific later.
What are your thoughts about leaving a long stub, so that the tree will start to compartmentalize near the proper place for a cut, while the entrance for pathogens is still a long distance away. The theory is that this starts the process while the pathogen is a long way from the tree's heart so to speak, then you cut off the stub. It also makes the proper place to cut the stub easier to see, since the remaining stem will have started to grow around it in a year or so, leaving a very definite ridge. Of course, this is more labor intensive, but it might be something to consider on your higher end customers, who take a deal of interest in educating themselves as well as caring for their trees.