At first glance, it may seem that the trees do not need special care and even without human intervention are able to grow and please the eye for a long time. However, this is not quite true. A sick or dry tree can become quite dangerous for others, which is why the plantings need constant monitoring and care. One possible way would be to book trees.
The main goals of cropping
Croning is the process of forming the outlines of trees, as well as large shrubs.
This is done for several purposes:
- decorative : the main purpose of pruning trees involves giving the crown a certain shape;
- functional : using this procedure, you can balance the resulting imbalance of the crown and root system of the tree, prepare the plant for winter, or improve the tree by removing weak, dry and diseased branches.
The main types of tree crowning
To date, there are three main ways to trim:
- Sanitary reservation of trees. It consists in the removal of dry, damaged branches and trunks, as well as those that are susceptible to various diseases. This will help to significantly improve the tree itself, thereby reducing the risk of tissue decay. Also, the result of the procedure will be the release of additional power reserves of the plant, which it spent on the vital activity of diseased branches.
- Anti-aging crown treatment of trees. It involves the removal of those branches that are characterized by a long lifespan. This happens in favor of younger and more promising shoots. This will allow the crown of the tree to thin out in order to provide more light to the branches and plants that are in the shade.
- Formative tree crowning. Depends on the type of green space. If pruning of a fruit plant occurs, then skeletal, non-bearing branches, as well as growths that thicken the crown, are removed.
In addition, it is possible to distinguish formative (giving the necessary direction of growth to young branches), thinning (thinning the crown), lowering (performed in order to protect power lines and balconies) and increasing (in order to free up space under the tree).
What trees can be pruned?
When carrying out this procedure, the features of the process for each individual tree species should be taken into account. For example, species such as elm, poplar and maple are most easily pruned. But conifers, oak and birch require special care after this.
In addition, the duration of the healing process also depends on the direction of the saw cut of the branch, as well as the method of processing the damage site.
When do I need to make a reservation?
It is best done in early spring. This is due to the fact that it is in this period that you can determine the status of each branch. However, it is still worth considering the type of tree, as well as its location.
The crowning of poplars and conifers is carried out as they grow. But pruning fruit trees, such as apple trees, pears, plums and others, is required every year.
Work technology
The kroning process is always associated with the removal of a certain amount of wood. As a result, there is a loss of nutrients. To reduce it, you need to carefully plan the process to finish before the buds bloom on the tree.
After removal of particularly large branches, the resulting wound can heal for several years. To speed up this process, you need to adhere to some rules:
- The branches need to be cut in such a way that the cut plane completely coincides with the edge of the annular influx. This will allow to achieve a minimal surface of the wound, and, accordingly, a shorter healing time.
- In the case of removal of particularly large branches, it is necessary to start the cut at a distance of 20-30 cm from the proposed cutting location. This will avoid tearing wood.
- When working on a tree with a flat or rounded crown, you need to transfer the branches to the side branches.
- After removing the branches, the cutting surface does not need to be cooked, as this can lead to decay. However, if the aim of pruning was to remove the branches of the susceptible diseases, treatment would still be required.
The process itself, regardless of the tree species, occurs in several stages:
- choice of crown shape;
- a cut of the side branches (skeletal should not be touched);
- thinning of the internal processes;
- stem shoot removal;
- giving the crown the selected shape.
However, there is still some specificity for each individual breed. For example, poplar crowning is a very topical issue, since fluff can cause allergy attacks and other troubles. This tree grows quickly enough, and to prevent the appearance of a large number of flowering products, almost all branches are pruned.
Pruning fruit trees, for example, forming the crown of a pear, also includes peeling the bark and treating it with antiseptic agents to protect the plant from disease and parasite attacks.
Types of tree crowns
In order for the landscape to have a well-groomed and aesthetic appearance, trees and shrubs are given a variety of forms. Among them:
- round: spherical, oval, ovoid;
- open: the crown of the tree is stretched in a horizontal plane parallel to the surface of the earth;
- spreading: without a clear outline;
- pyramidal.
A tree that has been trimmed taking into account the requirements of the technology and landscape of the site will be attractive and healthy for a long time.