| Most guidelines for tree pruning are built around | | | | down in height without ruining the tree? |
| the idea that all trees already have good health | | | | Let me give you one little factoid about the native |
| structural-integrity and have good growing | | | | trees living on the hill country slopes: their average |
| conditions. Well, let me tell you this is not normally | | | | life expectancy is about 40 years. Trees growing |
| the case. Many tree trimming calls I go on here in | | | | on the side of steep rocky slopes have difficult |
| Austin, Texas require creative techniques to help | | | | time rooting solidly. I would argue that pruning the |
| the tree fit inside its urban environment. The main | | | | top of a tree down in height accomplishes two |
| topic I really want to discuss here is tree topping. | | | | things here. One, by reducing the height of the |
| The standard rule for this is don't do it. Tree | | | | tree you are reducing its over all weight, and, |
| topping is usually not a good tree trimming | | | | therefore, reducing gravity's efforts to pull it |
| technique. We're talking about cutting the ends off | | | | down the hillside. Secondly, maintaining limited |
| the branches of the tree. I'm 100% positive that | | | | canopy size reduces strain on the root system to |
| trees don't grow limbs so we can have something | | | | find water and nutrients, two commodities in |
| to cut, and I'm 100% positive that the leaves on | | | | short supply on the side of a hill. I do believe that |
| the ends of those branches are making food for | | | | you can functionally maintain the height of a tree |
| the tree. But, there are some situations where | | | | on a hillside to improve your view. |
| the tree topping technique can be used in an | | | | Please don't take this too far. I'm not advocating |
| appropriate manner. Let's look at "vista pruning." | | | | that all trees on hill sides be topped. I'm just |
| Literally translated as view pruning, the goal of this | | | | saying that it can be done in a manner that would |
| is to improve a scenic view. You'd have to live in | | | | allow the tree to live its normal life expectancy. If |
| the hill country to understand this. Many people will | | | | you are going to do some vista-pruning, do so |
| spend half of their life-savings for a beautiful | | | | cautiously; leave as much foliage on the tree as |
| house on the side of the tallest hill over looking a | | | | possible. |
| beautiful canyon, and within a few years the | | | | For info on proper pruning techniques, please see |
| backyard trees have grown up and block the | | | | my tree trimming series. |
| entire view. Can we cut the tops of the branches | | | | |