1. The document discusses different types of pruning cuts including natural target pruning cuts, reduction cuts, and heading cuts. 2. Natural target pruning cuts remove a side branch back to the larger parent branch/trunk in order to preserve the branch defense zone and allow woundwood to close over the pruning wound. 3. Reduction cuts remove a larger branch back to a smaller side branch and should be made at an angle to prevent suckering, with the smaller branch being at least 1/3 the diameter of the larger branch removed.

1. Colorado Master Gardener Training Pruning Cuts

2. The Art of Pruning Size and shape control The Science of Pruning Why: Structure & Plant health How: Natural target pruning

3. The Art of Pruning Pruning to Control Shape

4. The Art of Pruning Pruning to Control Shape Branch grows in direction of bud.

5. The Science of Pruning: Prune with purpose in mind. How plants respond to wounds Natural Target Pruning Types of pruning cuts Pruning standards Deciduous trees New planting Training young trees Mature trees Special need Evergreens Shrubs

6. Tree physiology

7. A tree is a series of boxes or “compartments” framed by annual growth rings and rays.

8. Each “compartment” is filled with tubes (xylem tissue) that transmit water and nutrients up into the tree.

9. Trees don’t heal, they seal.

10. Trees don’t heal, they seal. CODIT Compartmentalization of Decay In Trees Reaction Zone Chemical change in cells seal-off or “compartmentalize” the area

11. Trees don’t heal, they seal. CODIT Compartmentalization of Decay In Trees Reaction Zone Chemical change in cells seal-off or “compartmentalize” the area

12. CODIT on old Cottonwood trunk

13. Reaction Zone (Reaction Wood)

14. CODIT Compartmentalization Of Decay In Trees Reaction Zone Microorganism Area Decayed wood

15. Branch Collar Branch Bark Ridge

16. Branch Defense Zone A ring of cells responsible for Woundwood growth and active in the reaction wood process. Woundwood closing over pruning cut Branch collar Branch defense zone cells

17. For the Branch Defense Zone to be active, the side branch must be less than 1/2 the diameter of the trunk/parent branch. Less than 1/3 is preferred.

18. Natural Target Pruning Protects the Branch Defense Zone . branch bark ridge branch collar branch collar final cut

19. Terms CODIT Reaction Zone Branch Collar Branch Defense Zone

20. Type of pruning cut impacts Ability to defend against decay Regrowth Natural target pruning cuts Remove side branch back to larger parent branch/trunk. Reduction cuts Remove larger branch back to smaller side branch . Heading cuts Remove branch tip

21. 1. Preserves the branch defense zone 2. Thins branching pattern Increases sunlight penetration into plant’s interior Increases air circulation 3. Only minor influence on height Natural target pruning cuts remove a smaller side branch back to trunk/parent branch.

22. Natural Target Pruning Protects the Branch Defense Zone . branch bark ridge branch collar branch collar final cut

23. Natural target pruning cuts : Use caution to not nick or injure the branch bark ridge. With proper cut, Woundwood grows over pruning wound Pruning cut nicked branch bark ridge on bottom. Note how woundwood fails to grow in this area.

24. Ash Aspen

26. Natural Target Pruning on Conifers branch bark ridge branch collar final cut branch collar

28. Quality of pruning cut?

33. Reduction cuts remove a larger branch back to a smaller side branch . NO branch defense zone Thins branching pattern Lowers height Final Cut

34. Reduction cuts : Angle of final cut splits difference between angle of branch bark ridge and angle perpendicular to branch being removed. Angle perpendicular to branch being removed Angle of FINAL CUT Angle of branch bark ridge Branch bark ridge

36. Reduction cuts : To prevent suckering, the smaller branch should be at least 1/3 the diameter of larger branch removed. (At least 1/2 the diameter is preferred.) Final Cut

37. Heading cuts make the branch bushier. Removes the hormone auxin in shoot’s growing tip. Releases lateral sidebuds to grow. Branching at point of pruning gives a bushier plant. Decreases sunlight into plant’s interior.

38. Natural Target Pruning (thinning) Cut Reduction Cut Heading Cut

41. 3 cut method for any limb larger than 1” 1. Undercut limb, 12-15” out from crotch. 2. Moving out a couple of inches from 1st, make second cut from top removing limb. 3. Make final cut with Natural Target Pruning techniques.

42. 3 cut method for any limb larger than 1”

44. Dead limb removal