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A Tale of Two Trees - con't
... ( Page 2 - Tale of Two Trees) ... the forest. Family B knew better. They realized that a tree in the yard or along a street is not growing there because ecological sorting matched its needs to the site. It is there because it was planted there; Nature's method was circumvented. The new transplant is probably on poor soil that is then subjected to the trampling of hundreds of footsteps. It most likely is not enjoying the
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optimum conditions of sunlight or shade, and it certainly does not have the advantage of forest neighbors to shield it from wind, prune its lower branches, and form the outline of its crown. In short, it needs help.
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At Planting
   Family B also planted their tree correctly, but they also noticed a broken branch and a branch that was competing with the leader. Both were pruned close to the trunk. Another, swollen from the sting of an insect laying eggs (a gall), was snipped off. Otherwise, all branches were left intact to provide maximum leaf surface to manufacture food during the first year of life in its new borne.

After 5-7 Years
   Now is the time to make a good tree even better. Lower limbs are pruned off to "raise" the bottom of the crown well out of the way of human heads. The lowest limbs are now the permanent lowest limbs. An important fact is recognized here. Branches do not move upward as a tree grows taller. The center of a branch at 5 feet will always be at 5 feet.
    Higher up, a few overzealous branches are cut back so they do not protrude beyond the graceful outline of the crown. A branch here and there is removed for more even spacing but basically the job of sculpturing the tree is now complete.
After 3-4 Years
   By now root growth should he well on its way to anchoring the transplant and expanding to the size necessary to nourish the growing branches. Family B decides to cut off the root suckers and sprouts in the crown. Other excessive branches are thinned to reduce competition for light, water and nutrients, and a co-dominant leader is removed. A few of the lowest limbs are also removed, but others are temporarily left to help the trunk develop more taper and strength.
   Growth is far enough along to reveal problems developing such as branches that rub or are growing in an undesirable direction. Narrow angles are also eliminated for reasons explained on page 4.
FAMILY B's TREE -- Pruned When Young
15 Years After Planting
   Family B was amazed to see their tree survive a major wind storm one summer day. While many other trees in the neighborhood suffered split tops and broken limbs, theirs stood strong and firm. Proper pruning gave strength to the branches and allowed the wind to pass harmlessly through the thinned crown. Early each spring, the tree gets scrutinized and dead or damaged limbs are cut off using proper pruning methods. Otherwise, Family B has only to enjoy the beauty and shade of their tree. And what do you know? Just before they moved recently, the real estate agent told them it was the trees in their yard that helped sell the property so quickly.