Is It Time for Reduction Pruning?

The last few seasons have shown a combination of above-normal heat and droughty conditions, and we are beginning to see the impacts unfold in our trees.

One of the more concerning symptoms is tip dieback, where the tree struggles to push growth at its outermost branch ends, or even starts to defoliate from those ends during the growing season.

While it can be alarming when spotted, tip dieback may not mean that your tree is officially dying. It may be the result of a tree’s biological response to stress, such as caused by damaging insect activity. It may be viewed as a tree “cutting off the spigot” at the point where it has decided to sacrifice growth, managing its own resources for survival.

Regardless of how a given tree presents tip dieback, the main question is what to do about it. While not a popular or desired option for several reasons, reduction pruning may be necessary for a declining tree that is being preserved vs. cut down. This type of pruning should only be administered with the understanding that the pruning itself won’t be the sole determiner of the tree’s fate;
its survival depends even more heavily on the condition of its root system. However, the application of this type of pruning can assist a tree in managing those survival resources, promoting its health.

Reduction pruning is cutting back dead or declining branch tips, pruning branches back to viable, more vigorous growth. Sometimes these weakened limbs can be pruned back to adventitious sprouts if viable enough in vigor and diameter. This method not only cuts out brittle, hazardous branches that might break off in a weather event, but also stimulates growth from the dormant buds within the tree. If the limb has enough energy to produce and sustain sufficient growth, the tree’s crown will be renewed over time.

When considering a reduction pruning for your tree, it is important to keep in mind that your tree can lose some of its aesthetic appeal for several years, depending on the size of the tree. Also, it is crucial to keep in mind that this pruning method is not the “fix” for your tree, just one of the tools used to aid in its rehabilitation.

When a tree is showing signs of such stress through tip dieback, you should assume that more issues are present. Pests and disease function opportunistically and will take advantage of trees’ weakened state. Do not hesitate to contact your Wachtel representative if you see your tree exhibiting tip dieback to come up with a game plan on how to properly restore your trees’ health and well-being.

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