There are three ways to prune a tree. One way allows the tree to recover using its natural defences. The other two ways prevent those natural defences. Guess which one is correct?
The shape will depend on the angle of the branch bark ridge.
Conifers tend to have more pronounced collars.
To be honest though, you can can abuse the hell out of trees and they'll always figure out a way forward. Not that you should abuse trees of course, but just be safe in the knowledge that even if you prune a tree less than ideally, it'll probably be fine.
I had a good look at tree donuts on my sunday walk; some nicely done, some real disasters that were killing the tree! New knowledge for me, this -- thanks!
It is certainly an eye opener. It's important to note though that you can do everything right and still end up with a decayed cut. At the end of the day, you can stack the deck in the favour of the tree, but the universe will always decide how fate plays out for that particular instance of tree species. That being said - always best to do it properly.
Useful stuff, even for me.
In short: Leave the branch bark ridge and the branch collar ?
Should I aim for a round-shaped wound surface and not an oval one to minimize wound area?
I'm going for a walk later; going to look for ridges and collars.
The shape will depend on the angle of the branch bark ridge.
Conifers tend to have more pronounced collars.
To be honest though, you can can abuse the hell out of trees and they'll always figure out a way forward. Not that you should abuse trees of course, but just be safe in the knowledge that even if you prune a tree less than ideally, it'll probably be fine.
I had a good look at tree donuts on my sunday walk; some nicely done, some real disasters that were killing the tree! New knowledge for me, this -- thanks!
It is certainly an eye opener. It's important to note though that you can do everything right and still end up with a decayed cut. At the end of the day, you can stack the deck in the favour of the tree, but the universe will always decide how fate plays out for that particular instance of tree species. That being said - always best to do it properly.