I got a forked tree, should I cut off the smaller side?

6 years ago

I planted a red oak 6-7 yrs ago. The tree has become "forked" about 3-4 ft off the ground and I'm thinking of cutting off the smaller side this winter. I've probably waited to long and now the forked side accounts for maybe a 1/3 of the tree canopy. You think it would be alright to take the off the smaller side? Any tips? The smaller side is on the right. It imagine it would look sort of odd at first but eventually even out, for the most part, over the years.

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Comments (9)

KennsWoods
6 years ago
The limb in question is trying to become co-dominant, so I would remove it.

If it were mine I would head back by half every branch on the part you want to remove. That will force it to produce a collar at the point where it joins the main trunk, and that will make it easier for the tree to encapsulate the pruning wound. Growing a collar will take a while, several years perhaps, and it will look strange at best and ugly at worst, but in the long run it's for the good of the tree. Unless there is a collar that I can't see in the image. Anyway, removing the branch won't hurt the tree, and the dormant season is the time to do oaks, if one has a choice.
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Cut it off. It's still at a size where the wound will close quite rapidly and there's plenty of tree there to take over. But wait until spring when it's flowered to prevent bleeding of sap. Not sure where you are located but around here it's the end of April into May. http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-460/430-460.html

Take it off in pieces so it's easier to handle and doesn't get away from you and rip the bark or something.

How to Establish the Dominate Leader

These drawings are of young trees up to a few years old. While you can use these same techniques in older trees, it is easier to correct problems while the tree is still small.

The tree drawing above shows a small tree that has two codominate stems. If allowed to grow the tree will eventually suffer damage as one stem pushes against the other until one breaks. Cutting the stem in the manner shown while the tree is young will fix the problem.

How to prune: Cut the stem at the base of the branch at a slight angle if no collar is present. Do not leave a stub. If there is a branch collar, cut the branch just above the collar which may leave a short stub. The collar appears as a slightly swollen area at the base of the branch where trunk fibers and branch fibers overlap each other.

https://www.lawn-care-academy.com/tree-drawings.html
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
remove all hanging weight.. before you make the last precision cut ....

do you have a good tree saw?

ken
Smivies (Ontario - 5b)
6 years ago
Geez...I don't think I'd completely remove it right now. I'd subordinate it first, go a few years until the main trunk increases in relative size, then remove it.

It's also an Oak so if you live in an area where Oak Wilt is a problem, make sure any fresh cuts are done outside the infectious window (the infection is spread to fresh cuts by beetles).
User
6 years ago
Oops ,,

My mistake, I was thinking Red Maple on the timing.

Right now through Feb is good for Oaks.

Otherwise subordinate it now and do it next fall or the next year or the next.... :-)
bossyvossy
6 years ago
Is this advice good for pines? I have same situation as OP. For pines, when to prune
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Here's a couple of sources for evergreens (conifers?)..

Pruning calendar for evergreens:

Pruning evergreens information.
bossyvossy
6 years ago
Thank you
Murray Verbonitz
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks everyone. Great tips.

I got a forked tree, should I cut off the smaller side?

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KennsWoods

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Murray Verbonitz
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I got a forked tree, should I cut off the smaller side?

Comments (9)

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Murray VerbonitzOriginal Author

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Murray Verbonitz
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