"Pruned" Oak Tree

Pruning is one of those things that produces the best results when it’s done gradually and consistently over time.  For most of us this fact alone is daunting, but when you add in the specialized knowledge that is required to prune each plant or tree properly it becomes downright discouraging.  This is probably why there are so many badly pruned (tortured?) trees out there.  There are those who hack all of the branches off every year, so that the tree becomes a thick trunk with a spiky, porcupine top.  Some people wait too many years and then try to correct all of the problems at once, leaving the tree with an amputated look and possibly causing the slow death of the tree.

In my neighborhood there is an oak tree always stood out due to its apparent age and massive size.  I don’t know what variety it is,  but it is the biggest oak I’ve ever seen that is in a residential area.  I read that the Olmsted Brothers used oaks when landscaping the neighborhood that I live in so maybe it is a legacy from that project.

The oak was neglected but still a thing of beauty and a home to many animals.  From time to time I would see another branch or two had fallen off, but it weathered storms that brought down quite a few other big trees in winter storms of 2006.  The house on the left originally had a double lot but when it went on the market the house and the extra lot were “split”,  and a new house is being built on the right, as you can see.  In preparing for the sale of the property the oak was “pruned”.  It was a severe operation and took away any of the downward aspect of the oak.  I wonder if it will live and I hope that the new residents don’t decide it needs to be taken down.  If you have a big tree it is best to let it get big while pruning as needed to keep it as healthy as possible.  Topping a tree is not an appropriate method of keeping it from getting too big.  Do you know of any living creature that can live indefinitely without it’s head?

If you would like to educate yourself about pruning I would recommend you check out the Plant Amnesty web site.  They have some great guides for pruning that are helpful and easy to understand.  If you would prefer to hire someone they also give referrals.  Our trees are a resource, an asset and an investment.  It’s worth taking a little extra time to keep them healthy for years to come.