Pruning Young Trees

Published January 28, 2010, By CHRIS BREWER

Consult with a Certified Arborist before attempting to prune valuable young trees. 

Young trees need prun­ing with an eye to the future. Pruning with this goal in mind is called structural pruning. Removal of crossed or poorly attached limbs is best accomplished when trees are young and resilient. Limbs that will come into conflict with buildings, play equipment, and power lines, can be pruned in a skillful manner that will reduce or eliminate future conflict.

Structural pruning of young trees is an opportune time to remove all but one of the limbs competing to become the dominant stem, or leader for the tree. A single central-stem­med tree is stronger and more desirable than a tree with multiple leaders. Consult a certified arborist before attempting to structural prune your valuable trees.  Improper pruning can permanently damage one of nature’s finest works.