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California Gardening

I think I have a problem with my pruning technique

melle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/

17 years ago

A few seasons ago I did some semi-major pruning on a crepe myrtle; this involved pruning the main trunks (three), which were about 1/2 inch in diameter at the time.

Today I noticed that each scar (three, one per trunk) has a crack, split down the middle and into the trunk. I am concerned that I pruned improperly but I don't know what I did wrong.

I have never noticed this happening on any of my other shrubs or crape myrtles. Please look at my photos and tell me what I might have done incorrectly, how I can do better next time, and what I can do to remediate the current problem.

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Thanks,

-Melanie-

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Comments (7)

patecake
17 years ago
The limb growing out is just to heavy for the stub that you left. Growing out at too much of an angle, also. Just go down to beneath the cracked part and cut it off there.
Next year when you prune it again, if you have a place with that much of a "Y", either snip it a few inches above the "Y", or take it off below the "Y" and that should prevent your problem again.
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
17 years ago
You cut into the branch collar espesially on the left side. It is better to leave a stub by cutting a little above the collar than to cut too low. Hormones located in the collar material help to seal up the edges of the cut and prevent the problem you have now. Al
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melle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/
Original Author
17 years ago
Did I cut into the collar of the branch that is growing out to the right (in the photos)?

When I pruned I didn't remove branches; I cut the leader of each trunk because they were all sort of growing inward towards each other. How would I recognize the branch collar on a leader?

Which leads to my next question: if I cut them all back (off), below the crack, I will, again, be cutting the leader. Should I look for a dormant bud and be sure to leave a bid of leader behind to prevent the cracking?
youreit
17 years ago
According to Sunset's pruning section -

"When removing a branch, don't make a flush cut. Position your shears or saw just outside the branch collar, the wrinkled area (or bulge) at the branch's base where it meets another branch or the trunk [the area under the cut you show above]. Also refrain from cutting into the branch bark ridge (raised bark in the branch crotch) [the area over the cut you show above]. Leaving these areas intact keeps decay to a minimum."

Brenda
melle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/
Original Author
17 years ago
I appreciate the comments. Sounds like I cut into the collar of the branch growing off the leader/trunk.

I pruned the trunks on this tree, not the branch coming off, but I must have pruned too close.
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
17 years ago
melle sacto you are right. The leader you cut, being the leader, did not have a branch collar. However you should have cut the leader at more of a right angle which would have meant leaving a small stub. The stub left would have a smaller area and healed better, probably without the risk of the split which allows the moisture and possible bacteria to enter. Al
melle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/
Original Author
17 years ago
Al, thanks for the tips. I didn't want to leave any stubs when I pruned but now I see that was a mistake. I'm glad I learned this lesson now, while I'm still young and haven't ruined anything significiant :-)

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