Just realized my pruning cuts were all wrong after 8 years

Last spring I was out trimming a big red oak for a client in Portland and an old arborist walked by. He watched me for a minute then said "you're leaving way too much collar" and showed me where to cut instead. I'd been doing it the textbook way from my certification class but the trees are healing way faster now with closer cuts. Has anyone else had someone just show up and change how you work for the better?

2 comments

2 Comments

martin.angela1mo ago

My buddy swears by leaving a bigger collar on his maples and says they callous over way cleaner that way. I think every tree is different and what works on a red oak might rot out on something else. Hard to believe one guy walking by knows more than 8 years of your own experience.

noah8801mo ago

That's the thing though - what exactly did the old guy say about the collar that made you switch? I've heard so many different opinions on collar vs flush cuts I'm curious what the actual logic was. Like was he talking about the branch bark ridge or the swelling on the trunk side?