Tree Care Tips &
Questions and Answers
Scott Wiskerke
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada |
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A Few Practical Examples of Pruning and Thinning
check also our tree removal page
(click on the numbers below to see enlarged pictures)
click on these photos to see enlarged pictures of the results of our pruning
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This old fruit tree hadn't been pruned for years and needed attention. Click the thumbnail to see what we did. |
See how after pruning this Japanese maple tree has regained its character. |
We thinned this ornamental cedar tree. This improved air circulation between tree and house. Now there's a view out of the window, and sunlight filters in. |
The honey locust tree is a showy shade tree. It can grow up to 15m in height and width. This one is planted very close to the house and has to be controlled. We removed the wild growth at the top of the tree but kept the upward and outward growth. Now the tree blends into the landscape. To keep it that way, yearly pruning will be required. |
Questions and Answers about Tree Care
| What is pruning? |
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Pruning is the removal or reduction of certain plant parts that are not required, are no longer effective, or detremental to the health of the plant. It's also about balancing the number of shoots against the number of fruits, that the branches are evenly placed and the shap is pleasing to the eye. |
| What is thinning and shearing? |
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In thinning you remove the poorly placed branches, leaving the nice ones untouched. This enhances the natural shape of a tree. Established trees and shrubs should mostly be thinned. Shearing is cutting the ends of all branches which creates tight new growth. A nice thight hedge is created by regular shearing. |
| When should I prune my trees? |
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All fruit trees and ornamental fruit trees should be pruned in their dormant time in the winter. Prune maples and birches in summer. Many deciduous shrubs and trees in need of a renovation should be pruned in the winter.
| | Are there any exceptions? |
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Be cautious with trees or shrubs that are marginally hardy; they should not be pruned before March because if it freezes after you have pruned a fig tree, for example, water can get into the cut and cause damage as the branches are hollow. It is always a good idea to check a good reference book for the correct time for your specific specie. |
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Please contact us for a free consultation
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tel: (250) 618-0008
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