ok so pruning a tree has the potential to get rid of dead limbs, crossing branches that are going to cause problems later, and generally create a healthier structure. also when you remove a branch, the tree releases hormones that say GROW NEW THINGS (so if you do so in winter when a tree is supposed to be resting, it can mean your tree basically pulled an all-nighter).
you also don't want to remove more than 1/3 of a tree at a time, because that can be Too Much and weaken its immune system.
if you do what power companies do, you are not pruning to make a happier tree. you are pruning to make a shorter tree. often here, they basically just cut off half of the top of the tree.
what then happens is the tree is a bad structure (for the tree), plus it's vulnerable to infection, plus it's putting all its resources into growing as fast as possible (but not into the big limbs, into tiny limbs called "water sprouts"). you basically have a recipe for "tree gets knocked over in storm" because the entire tree's system is weakened.
this is aside from the fact that "street trees" -- the ones dealing with asphalt on their roots and a bunch of car fumes -- have a much harder time surviving anyway.
tl;dr it's late and i have brain fog so i can't tell if that made sense, but. in the name of "protecting power lines" the power companies basically massacre trees in a way that makes them *more* likely to get sick/die/drop limbs. also just look sad and ravaged. so yes. *flames from the side of my face*
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Date: 2016-04-04 03:16 am (UTC)ok so pruning a tree has the potential to get rid of dead limbs, crossing branches that are going to cause problems later, and generally create a healthier structure. also when you remove a branch, the tree releases hormones that say GROW NEW THINGS (so if you do so in winter when a tree is supposed to be resting, it can mean your tree basically pulled an all-nighter).
you also don't want to remove more than 1/3 of a tree at a time, because that can be Too Much and weaken its immune system.
if you do what power companies do, you are not pruning to make a happier tree. you are pruning to make a shorter tree. often here, they basically just cut off half of the top of the tree.
what then happens is the tree is a bad structure (for the tree), plus it's vulnerable to infection, plus it's putting all its resources into growing as fast as possible (but not into the big limbs, into tiny limbs called "water sprouts"). you basically have a recipe for "tree gets knocked over in storm" because the entire tree's system is weakened.
this is aside from the fact that "street trees" -- the ones dealing with asphalt on their roots and a bunch of car fumes -- have a much harder time surviving anyway.
tl;dr it's late and i have brain fog so i can't tell if that made sense, but. in the name of "protecting power lines" the power companies basically massacre trees in a way that makes them *more* likely to get sick/die/drop limbs. also just look sad and ravaged. so yes. *flames from the side of my face*