Trees in a landscape versus trees in their natural setting
Why do we prune a tree when in nature they are not?
Trees in nature do have many of the same problems that trees in your landscape might have. They have poor limb structure, dead or broken limbs, diseases and insects. They have falling limbs or fall themselves. This is always going on; “We just do not notice the trees for the forest”. In other words, what we notice most often in the natural setting is the green, healthy trees and not all of the problems that we see in our trees at home.
Trees in a landscape only require pruning if you plan to enjoy them. Trees with poor limb structure can split, and depending how large the limb is, this wound can harm the tree in the least, but the limb falling could damage any number of things, including but not limited to houses, cars, pets and people. Obviously, dead or broken limbs can do the same thing. Diseases and insects can cause dead limbs and dead limbs can cause diseases and insects and, you guessed it, damage. So, no pruning required if you enjoy dead and broken trees and damage to property, etc.
A tree in your yard is similar to your pets, if you compare your tree to a tree in its natural setting and your pet to a stray animal.
Here are some benefits of each example:
Trees
Animals
In your yard
A pet
Can be pruned to prevent damage
Can be treated for insects an disease
Can be fertilized for nutrition
Increased health and longevity
Can be protected from predators, vehicles and other humans, etc.
Can be treated for sickness, fleas, etc.
Can be fed better
Increased health and longevity
In natural setting
A stray
No lawn mower damage, but keep mower away.
No digging or cutting of roots, but keep excavators and construction crews away.
No topping, but keep tree mutilators away.
All of these things need not happen to your trees
No abuse
Freedom to roam, but survival of the fittest
All of these things need not happen to your pets
Reasons to prune a tree:
For the health of the tree
To remove dead or diseased limbs
To remove crossing or parallel limbs (limbs rub each other creating wounds)
To eliminate narrow or weak crotches (this is typically where the tree splits)
To correct damaged limbs from storms or humans
For safety
To improve the structure for strength
To reduce wind resistance
To allow clearance for power lines, houses, roadway visibility, etc.
For aesthetics
To restore symmetry / shape (appearance)
To permit privacy
To provide head clearance, for mowing or any activity in your yard
Most of the damage in these pictures could have been prevented with proper pruning, especially if pruned when the tree is young. The most important thing is to remove multiple stems when the tree is young. You may not be able to remove all bad crotches when the tree is older because it may be more harmful, leaving too large of a wound and a lopsided tree, but you can still make a difference if the tree is properly pruned and the worst crotches are braced. Another thing to avoid is root damage, as this could cause a tree to fall in the wind. You may find more information on other pages.
