This quercas alba (white oak, click on for larger view) has been pruned over the years by the utility company. It does not appear to have one dominant leader, and the homeowner is wondering if the many crowded branches growing vertically are weak attachments. The homeowner also wonders if by thinning the crown in particular, the verticle branches growing upward, would reduce wind drag and make the tree less likely to fail. What do you think?
Georgia Urban
Forest Council
315 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue
Suite 554
Decatur, GA 30030
Telephone 800.994.4832
Fax 404.377.0480
gufc@gufc.org
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5 Comments
The tree appears to have many codominant leaders that could be removed. Reduction pruning would be good. I don’t believe the canopy can be cleaned up all at once, but could be over a couple of growing seasons. Some of the lowest branches could be removed.. Where is this tree located?
Mike Huffman
Certified arborist #SO-5155-A
Georgia Registered Forester #2740
The tree is located near downtown Decatur. It is in a residential yard about 20 feet off the street.
The tree appears to have many codominant leaders that could be removed. Reduction pruning would be good. I don’t believe the canopy can be cleaned up all at once, but could be over a couple of growing seasons. Some of the lowest branches could be removed.. Where is this tree located?
Mike Huffman
Certified arborist #SO-5155-A
Georgia Registered Forester #2740
The tree is in Decatur, GA. I like the idea of doing the pruning over several seasons and will recommend to the owner. Thank you!
We are presented with a decurrent tree (one that should not have a central leader) that has been pruned multiple times in the past by the power company and appears to be in reasonable health. The tree is a white oak and we know from historic data that this species rarely fails due to poor crotch formation. We also know that branches provide a dampening effect on the tree system as a whole helping to stabilize under wind loading. Recent studies have shown that pruning to reduce “Sail Effect” has little to no positive effect on failure potential. The concern here should focus on decay from the old pruning cuts and other possible variables not yet identified by the home owner that could influence stability.