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Newly planted tree - Need advice on damaged limbs

6 years ago

A few months ago I planted a northern red oak tree in my yard. When I bought the tree I failed to notice a couple of damaged limbs which are the two lowest limbs on the tree. Considering the damage that you will see in the pictures below, I'm uncertain if I should leave them as is or if I should prune them? I don't know if the limbs will be strong enough as they grow and will they be able to overcome the damage. Should I prune them now just before the damaged spots on each limb? Take a look at the picture and let me know what you would do...

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Comments (5)

Embothrium
6 years ago
Saw them off.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
significant damage is ALWAYS removed ... and those are such ... they will never heal ...

do you know how to prune... do you have a pruning saw .. do you know what a branch collar is??

remove properly back to the collar.. see link ...

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=pruning+branch+collar&t=ffcm&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images

bottom line.. this is no big deal ... especially if you got it at a bargain price in late fall ... just try to be a bit more observant in the future ...

ken
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krnuttle
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
If it were mine, If the two limbs make up a large percentage of the crown I would leave them on until the tree grows larger. If it is a small percentage of the crown, I would take them off now. If there is a question I would remove the small one now and the other later.

Looking at the pictures it looks like at least the one branch is quite low on the tree, so even without the damage, the branch would probably be removed in the future as it will interfere when mowing and walking around the tree. (I remove the lower limbs on tree so I can walk under them with out bumping my head)
User
6 years ago
Dead or damaged branches can be taken off immediately. Like ken said, proper pruning up to the branch collar. I agree, it they are low on the tree, that's about as good as it gets. They'd get removed in the near future anyways. :-)
PRO
Arborist Scottie AshTree seed
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I agree with others, removal only option. Even if this was a temporary branch, helping to add girth and taper to trunk before finally removing in few years for clearance. Looks like other portions of your tree might be susceptible to same type of damage, since your tree is a smooth bark species. Good that you have that trunk guard around base of tree which will shade it. I suggest checking out subject of "Formative structural pruning" on YouTube, since all young trees under age of 20 need this type of pruning every few years. Especially for good structure and "Apical dominance" by producing one central leader. Rather than growing competing stems of same size. Also, check out this link to video about "Primary root flare"! Since I cannot see one on your tree, so may have been delivered from nursery with flare already too deep in rootball. Or Mulch may be burying it. This is common today, requiring person installing tree to perform root flare excavation b4 planting. To find original level tree was born at. This old house video will explain all, Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI12XNNqldA

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