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Pruning
Scar(s)
Tree
pruning is an old practice for regulating tree size and
the shape of a tree's crown and for removing dead
or damaged branches. It is an essential part of tree maintenance
in an urban environment. Excessive pruning
and flush cuts (a poor
pruning practice in which both the branch and stem tissue
are removed) can weaken
the defense system of a tree (Shigo, 1990).
Any
process of removing dead or live branches and limbs
will leave a scar. Proper pruning scars (Figure 1) will
form circular wound-wood around the cut and old pruning
scars may eventually heal over leaving a distinct knob.
When pruning cuts are made improperly, wound-wood may
form only to the sides of the wound, or partly about
the wound. These scars may also form a point of entry
for wood rotting organisms. |
![Pruning.jpg (75144 bytes)](images/Pruning_small.jpg) |
Figure
1 |
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Tree Problems Basal
or Trunk Scars
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