Operation Tree Salvage
By Pat Gallavan
Chances are that the effect of the tranquilizer bulletin in the last Green Thumb has worn off. We can now carefully appraise the damage done to our trees. On streets where brush removal has been completed, it is easy to see that many trees, though battered and misshapen, are not a total loss. Now that the leaves have fallen, split crotches and stubs left in emergency removals are much in evidence. Our previous bulletin mentioned that there was no rush in doing this type of repair work, as long as it is completed by the time growth starts in the spring.
This final repair work, for the most part, should be done by a professional tree surgeon. Sawing off a limb isn’t quite as easy as falling off a log. First of all, in large trees the danger of falling is a major hazard for the amateur. Secondly, improper pruning can be quite detrimental to the future growth of the tree.
Under normal conditions we have enough good tree men to adequately take care of our trees. This storm, however, has put a great burden on the existing tree companies and has opened a tempting field to a lot of unqualified and unscrupulous people. These persons, armed with a pick-up, a ladder and a saw, can ruin a good tree in an hour’s time. Don’t be afraid to ask for credentials; a legitimate operator will gladly produce them, and recommendations if necessary. Above all, if you are not sure of his qualifications, watch his work for the mistakes explained and illustrated in this article.
To know a good pruning job from a bad one it is necessary to understand a few principles of tree growth. First of all, a tree, like all plants, is a living organism. We know that it manufactures its own food in the leaves. Raw materials, water and minerals, taken in by the roots are transported up to the leaves and there, in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll (green matter), are converted to simple food. These in turn flow back through the tree, nourishing growing cells throughout the plant. This intricate transportation system and a layer of active growth cells lie just beneath the bark. There are a number of theories on the forces that put this system into motion. However, for our purposes it is evident that the foliage of the tree is essential to this process. It stands to reason then that we can’t just lop off all the major branches of a large tree and expect it to survive.
Dead stub cannot heal. Rotten section inside tree Decay enters stub and continues into heart of living tree.
Decay enters thru stub Rotten interior weakens limb
Living tissue Cut made flush will heal over. Decay is thus prevented.
Cut made flush to sap flow line can heal over Live tissues
Living wound callous rapidly covers exposed wood thus preventing decay Tree sound no rot
Living wound callous rapidly covers exposed cut protecting it from decay Tree sound no rot
Methods of properly pointing up a wound.
Trees with weak crotches, heavy limbs or storm damage may be saved with proper bracing and cabling.
TRIANGULAR CABLING & BRACING SYSTEMS AS INSTALLED BY SWINGLE TREE SURGEONS USED & APPROVED BY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STRONG U CROTCH CABLES HIGH ENOUGH FOR LEVERAGE AND NOT CONSPICUOUS THIMBLE DANGEROUS V CROTCH PARALLEL BRACE RODS LAG HOOK CADMIUM STEEL BRACE ROD ½″ TO 1″ S.T.S-CO. 12-31-47
Careful Maintenance of Shade Trees
SCHULHOFF ARBORIST SERVICE
Specialists in Tree Care
HArrison 4-6112
MEMBER
NATIONAL ARBORIST ASSOCIATION
Granted that in some cases pruning will have to be severe, but if it is done properly the tree will have a chance to live. When a large branch is cut off and a stub is left, the growth processes stop in the projected stub, but continue their natural course of flow at its base in the parent branch. Each year as the tree grows it builds up a new growth ring around the stub. This is noted as a swelling, and will continue to grow in size each succeeding year. In the meantime, the dead stub is exposed to the elements and begins to rot away. In time it will decay back to the stem or trunk and be sloughed off and the original wound may close over with new growth rings. Usually before this happens, the organisms causing decay of the stub enter the main stem and begin their slow but deadly work there, so that in time the entire tree may become decadent.
If, on the other hand, the limb is cut back flush to the parent limb or stem, we find that the sap flow and growth ring still occur around the wound, but that each succeeding year the ring occurs inside the cut area. In time this growth will completely enclose the wound. On a small wound of an inch diameter this sealing may take place in several years’ time. Larger cuts will, of course, take more time and to prevent decay while they are healing a good tree paint should be applied to seal the wound until natural growth heals it over.
In addition to eliminating the stubs, other repairs might have to be made. In some cases the branches broke at their point of attachment on the parent limb and have peeled back the bark, leaving a jagged and irregular shaped wound. As indicated above, the new growth follows the easiest and smoothest path so that in such cases the wound needs to be shaped to allow for the quickest possible healing. From experience it has been found that a vertical elongated oval is the quickest to heal over, as it follows, as close as possible, the natural flow of material in a plant. This method is illustrated in the accompanying sketches.
Another repair that may be necessary is the cabling and bolting of split or weakened crotches. This is based on engineering principles and should be attempted only by an experienced arborist. The sketch on [page 331] shows one application of this method.
As mentioned in our tranquilizer bulletin, our trees have had a good growing year, and with proper care this winter, can come back quickly in the spring.
These things we think of when we say: “We wish you joy on Christmas Day.”
Peace that fills your life and heart, gladness that will not depart; hope to constantly abide; Faith that God will safely guide—these things we think of, pray for, too, when wishing Christmas joy for you.
ANTHONY KEESEN & SONS
Landscaping and Contracting
4201 East Iliff
SK 6-4040
SP 7-7873