An old timer in Oregon said my pruning cuts were too close to the trunk

He pointed at a maple I'd just worked on and said, 'You're leaving a wound that won't heal right, son.' I was making flush cuts back then, thinking it looked cleaner. I switched to making cuts just outside the branch collar, and the difference in how the trees seal over is night and day. Anyone else have a piece of advice that stuck with you like that?

4 comments

4 Comments

the_wyatt2mo agoTop Commenter

You know how some people say to cut at the collar but don't really show you what that means? I saw a diagram once that showed how the tree actually grows extra wood around that little bump, like a donut. If you cut it off, the trunk has to cover a flat wound which takes way longer. Did that old timer show you the ridge you're supposed to leave?

the_wesley1mo ago

Did you ever think you were doing the right thing by trying to make it look clean and professional? I was guilty of the same mistake back when I first started landscaping on the side. The old timer I ran into explained it to me just like you said, showing me that little ridge and telling me to leave it be. I was embarrassed at first, but now I'm glad he set me straight because my trees heal up so much faster. It's funny how the little details you think don't matter end up being the most important.

david_jones382mo ago

Wait, you were making flush cuts on purpose? I thought everyone knew that was bad for the tree. It's amazing how one piece of advice can change your whole approach.

lewis.finley2mo ago

Remember that old rule about painting over a fresh tree cut? My grandpa swore by it, but then I read it actually traps moisture and causes rot. He had this beautiful oak in his yard that started rotting from the inside out, all because of that thick tar he slathered on every cut. Makes you wonder how many "helpful" tips are just making things worse.