Tree & Shrub Repair Guide

Trees and Shrub Repair

Do not be in a hurry to prune to correct plants bent out of shape by snow or ice.

Often the plant will straighten up in a few days by itself. Broken branches, however, should be pruned as soon as possible. Here are a couple of tips to help you out:

Larger branches need to be cut at the ring or branch collar, even if the damage is further up the branch.

- It is important to make a clean cut.

- It's not necessary to use wound sealer or paint to cover the cut.

- Trees heal nicely by themselves, and during late fall and early winter, there is very little risk of disease or insect problems.

Bent Shrubs and Trees

For a shrub or tree that is completely bent over, help it regain its shape with heavy rope and a stake.

- Cut rope long enough to tie to the stake(s) that will be placed in the ground.

- Start tying the branches in the middle of the tree or bush. Tie them firmly, but not so hard that you damage them; a slipknot works best.

- Tie the rope higher to secure taller branches if needed.

If just the outer branches have bent over, secure weaker branches with rope by tying them back up to the center part of the shrub.

- Pull the rope up and around the inside, stronger section of the shrub and cinch a loop as tight as you can get it.

- Tie another loop higher up on the shrub and then tighten the lower loop to secure it.

Correct pruning is the best thing you can do for your tree. Here are the guidelines:

- Do not make flush cuts behind the Branch Bark Ridge.

- Do not leave living or dead stubs.

- Do not injure or remove the branch collar.

- Do not paint cuts.

Damaged Bark

Bark can be damaged when tree branches rub against each other.

- Open wounds from peeled or scraped bark can lead to insect infestation or disease in the spring.

- Either remove the branch in late winter or try to repair it as soon as possible.

Branch Repair

You can repair a branch if the bark is still moist.

- Hold the bark in place and wrap burlap around it to create a bandage.

- Tie twine securely around the bandage to maintain as much contact between the bark and the living tissue of the tree as possible.

If the wound doesn't heal by spring, you'll have to remove the branch so it doesn't invite problems.

Natural Target Pruning:

Hardwoods

- Locate the Branch Bark Ridge (BBR).

- Find target A—outside BBR.

- Find target B—where branch meets collar.

- Stub cut the branch.

- Make final cut at line AB (with power saws make final cut on upstroke).

- Do not cut AX - the branch collar should remain intact.

Conifers

- Locate the Branch Bark Ridge (BBR).

- Find target A—outside BBR.

- Find target B—where branch meets collar.

- Stub cut the branch.

- Make final cut at line AB (with power saws make final cut on upstroke).

Topping

- Locate the Branch Bark Ridge (BBR).

- Find target D—outside BBR.

- Find target E—where branch meets collar.

- Stub cut the branch.

- Make final cut at line DE (with power saws make final cut on upstroke).

Trees and Shrub Repair Supplies

The following are items you may require for proper maintenance, repair and removal of your trees and shrubs:

- Gas Chainsaws, Oil, and Bar & Chain Lubricants

- Electric Chainsaws, Oil, and Bar & Chain Lubricants

- Tree Pruning Pole Saws

- Bow saws

- Pruning shears

- Hedge Shears

- Loppers

- Burlap

- Root Irrigators

- Tree and Shrub Fertilizers

- Stump Decomposition Accelerators

- Stump Grinders

- Axes

- Pick Axes

- Shovels

- Rakes

- Waste Liners