Feature Article - for release the week of  February 18, 2008

Dan Culbert - Extension Horticulture Agent

Prune like a Pro 

At this time of year, many of our Florida Yards look like they belong up North.  While we enjoy a subtropical climate, many local trees have dropped their leaves and have exposed their frameworks.  And in many cases, the rush of spring has come and gone with tree blooms and new leaves.

While deciduous trees are bare, it is a good time to take a careful look at how the limbs on these trees are arranged.  You may notice some problems that need to be fixed.  Today’s column will discus some pruning objectives that Florida property owners may have in mind.  Our office will hold a free public workshop this Tuesday afternoon that show how you can Prune like a Pro! 

Prune with a Purpose

Pruning can help treat and avoid some certain problems in your Florida Yard. But before any blade touches a branch, be sure to understand WHY pruning is needed.  Dr. Ed Gilman, UF/IFAS Extension Horticulture Specialist suggests there are seven main objectives to have in mind when deciding to prune like a pro:

*       Reduce risk of failure: Training trees to have a strong structure will keep a tree from breaking apart in storms and resisting pests and diseases.  Because quality trees may last for  50-100 years or more, it will take a pruning plan that begins at planting and carries on for as long as 25 years.

*       Provide clearance:  Growth can be directed away from buildings, security lights, or power lines by reducing or removing limbs on that side of the tree. Regular pruning will be needed to maintain this artificial clearance.

*       Reduce shade and wind resistance: Florida Yards that want to encourage lawns, ground covers or shrubs can receive more sunlight when live foliage is removed from the crown of a tree.

*       Maintain health: By cleaning the crown, especially in medium-aged and mature trees, dead, diseased, and rubbing branches in the crown  will result in improved tree health.

*       Influence flower or fruit production: The number and/or size of flowers or fruit can be influenced by pruning.  Fruit size can be increased on certain plants if some of the developing fruit or flowers are removed. Flower cluster size can be increased on other plants by removing some branches.  And if fruits are messy,  they can be eliminated by removing flowers.

*       Improve a view: Do you want to improve your view?  Outdoor “windows” can be opened by removing some live branches.

*       Improve aesthetics: the overall appearance of  a plant may be made more appealing with selective pruning.

Pruning begins in the Nursery

High quality plants have certain structure and size relationships that are created by proper pruning.  Research shows that strong, long-lasting trees begin with proper training that starts in the nursery and continues in the landscape. 

If you want high quality plants that  establish quickly,  require little care and stand up to Florida’s environments, they will cost a little more.  Such trees are known  as “Florida Grade #1”.  In some communities, developers are required by local code to only use #1 or better plants.

Landscape plants that are of lesser quality will cost less, but for them to survive and thrive, they will need expert pruning, extra watering and nutrition, and lots more maintenance to do well.  Such plants are graded as  Florida #2. 

Pruning Pros

Some of the most serious pruning problems seem to occur with trees.  Beautiful shade trees are often attacked with chainsaws with unsatisfactory results.   The pruner may be trying to shape a tall spreading oak tree into a small round puffball, something that Mother Nature never intended.  Beside looking unsightly, topping (see above) will produce a hazardous tree.  The many suckers that come from the ends of the cut limbs are weakly attached and break in windstorms.  The cut ends rarely heal properly, inviting rot to enter into the tree limb or trunk.

Many of these large jobs are too big for a weekend warrior to tackle.  Some do it yourselfers may  attempt to thin a tall tree canopy without the proper equipment and training.  This is a recipe for disaster.   The cost of a hospital visit or disability will be then be added to the bill from the tree care professional that will be called in afterwards.

Again, quality costs.   There are local tree service companies that can do removals or some basic pruning jobs, but if you need a certified professional arborist, look for a member of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).  These are trained tree-pros that can safely do the large jobs.  Unfortunately, their member list shows that the closest Certified Arborist will be from Fort Pierce or Vero Beach. [ http://www.isa-arbor.com/findArborist/verifyArbByPostal.aspx ]  (If  you are a local tree care professional that wants to be a Certified Arborist, contact me and I’ll tell you how.)

If you have a gardening question anywhere in the country, another new website is set to debut this week.  While UF/IFAS has had our Extension website SolutionsForYourLife up and running for over a year [http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/ ], a new national resource officially "rolled out!" on Thursday. The web address for the eXtension Consumer Horticulture is: http://www.extension.org/horticulture.

You may get some additional help with the UF/IFAS research-based information on our Okeechobee web page, http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu.  If you want to see some photos of good and bad pruning or need additional information, please email us at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu or call us at 863-763-6469.  Local residents can stop by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North in Okeechobee, and visit your County Master Gardeners.  GO GATORS!     

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Trade names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information. They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.  Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS / University of Florida. Millie Ferrer Chancy, Interim Dean. Last update: 01/30/2012.  This page is maintained by Dan Culbert   

References

Dr. Ed Gilman has the World's best website on pruning landscape tree and shrubs: http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/treesandhurricanes/index.shtml  

Here are a few specific links on that page that may be of interest:

• Pruning Landscape Trees and Shrubs http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG087

• Developing a preventive pruning program: Young trees http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/documents/ch_12_mw04.pdf

• Developing a preventive pruning program: Mature trees http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/documents/ch_13_mw06.pdf

• Pruning objectives http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/documents/pruningobjectives.pdf

Other useful links may include-

•     Florida Chapter of International Society of Arboriculture: http://www.floridaisa.org/

•     FDACS - Division of Plant Industry Nursery Grades & Standards http://prohort.ifas.ufl.edu/grades_standards.htm