All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except for brief quotations used in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.
Topic starter
22/12/2025 11:06 am
In the trade, we often see the results of "amateur surgery" on trees—jagged cuts, flush cuts that damage the branch collar, and dangerous rigging scenarios. At JB Property Maintenances, we operate on the principles of modern arboriculture, which dictates that every cut must have a specific purpose and must be executed to minimize the impact on the tree's defense systems. For the homeowner, understanding the difference between a hack job and a surgical prune is essential for the longevity of their planting.
The primary mechanism we are working with is CODIT (Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees). Trees do not "heal" in the way human tissue does; they seal. When a branch is removed, the tree must physically wall off that wound to prevent rot from entering the heartwood. A professional cut is made just outside the branch bark ridge and collar. If you cut flush to the trunk, you destroy the collar, and the tree cannot seal the wound, leading to internal decay. Conversely, leaving a "stub" prevents the wound wood from growing over the cut. Precision is everything. We use specific friction hitches and lowering devices to bring timber down safely, ensuring no damage to the cambium layer of the trunk during the descent.
One of the most common procedures we perform is "deadwooding." This is not just tidying up; it is hazard abatement. As a tree matures, it naturally sheds branches that are no longer efficient at photosynthesizing. However, this wood can remain attached for years. We climb the tree and systematically remove this dead material. Another critical technique is "crown cleaning," where we remove crossing rubbing branches, water sprouts, and epicormic growth. This growth is often weakly attached and sucks energy from the main structure. By cleaning the crown, we redirect the tree's resources to the dominant leader and primary scaffolds.
Equipment selection is also a marker of the professional. We use specialized chainsaws with different bar lengths depending on the diameter of the wood, and handsaws for delicate cuts on smaller limbs. Climbing spikes are strictly reserved for removals; using spikes on a tree that is being pruned creates deep puncture wounds that invite infection. A true professional accesses the canopy using rope and harness techniques that leave no trace. When you hire a tree surgeon Galway has available, you should ensure they adhere to these non-invasive climbing methods to protect your specimen trees.
Finally, we must address the timing. While we can prune hazardous limbs at any time, species-specific timing is crucial. For example, pruning members of the Prunus genus (cherries, plums) in winter leaves them susceptible to silver leaf fungus and bacterial canker. These should be pruned in mid-summer when the sap is rising and the tree's defenses are active. Oaks and beeches, however, are best tackled in late winter dormancy.
Tree surgery is a blend of biology and engineering. It requires an understanding of weight vectors, wood tension, and plant physiology. Trusting this work to someone without this technical background is a risk to the tree and the property.
For expert assessments and technical pruning, visit https://jbpropertymaintenances.com/