You might not even realize it, but improper pruning can lead to the death of trees, even if they were completely healthy before the procedure.
The first mistake is a dull pruner. Torn cuts do not heal, attracting bark beetles and fungus.
The second is cutting the branch “to the ring”, which destroys the cambium, which is responsible for the growth of the bark.
The third is to cover the wounds with oil paint. It blocks the oxygen supply, causing rotting.
The rescue algorithm begins with disinfecting the instrument with copper sulfate. Dilute 10 g of the substance in 1 liter of water.
The branch is cut at an angle of 45°, leaving 2 cm to the trunk, and the cut is treated with garden pitch with pine resin.
Research has shown that trees pruned at -5°C recover 30% faster. The cold slows down sap flow, reducing stress.
Do not remove more than 25% of the crown at a time. The tree will spend its energy on restoration, not on fruit.
If after pruning the leaves turn yellow and the bark cracks, this indicates that the tree is infected.
Spray it with Bordeaux mixture (3%) and remove damaged areas.
If your garden consists of old trees, then special rules should be followed during pruning.
Do not cut off thick branches of old-timers at once. First, cut from below, then from above - this will prevent the bark from tearing.
Author: Elena Shimanovskaya