Maple Co-Dom prune what is best?

gsward

Blaze Maple tree. Maybe 25 ft high. About 18 inch dbh. Slightly above dbh tree was allowed to wagonwheel from same node. 4 or 5 scaffolds growing from this same point co-dominating with the central leader. These scaffolds are about 8 to 10 inch diameter where they join main trunk.

My concern is how to best prune the lower co-dom scaffolds properly. They are not properly spaced but, its too late for that now. I can cut out a couple at the trunk but, will decay become a problem on a large diameter limb as they?

Would reduction cutting the scaffolds back to a limb half ways or so to break their apical dominance in each of the codominating scaffolds be better? If I choose this will the scaffolds get too big later at the node as tree matures and cause overcrowding at the node and can it cause any problems later?

Will so many codoms at one node starve the central leader if reduction cut to half the scaffold? Or must a scaffold or two be removed at the trunk?

What is best way to prune this tree?

Thanks to anyone with expert advice.

I dont have pictures but it is pretty self explanatory.

gsward

Is this a choose the better of the worse? Which is better: cut a big diameter limb which may never heal, or allow co-dominating trunks?

Eric Frei

Yes, reduction is a better option than a big wound at the trunk.

The scaffolds will get larger slower but they will also develop a collar, so subordinate and perhaps later remove when collar develops.

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