Loading…
32
Why I quit pruning flush cuts at the collar after 9 seasons in Portland
I used to cut flush to the trunk because it looked cleaner, and I figured a tight wound sealed up faster. Then I spent last spring doing storm damage cleanup on a row of 40 year old maples in Portland and every old flush cut I found had rot behind it, some cavities 3 inches deep. Turns out the branch collar holds the tree's own defense tissue, so slicing it off leaves a doorway and no door. On the ones where the collar stayed, the callus tissue rolled over the wound within a couple seasons. Now I leave that little bump even when the homeowner gives me a look. Anybody got a good way to explain the collar to folks who just want it looking neat?
0 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In0 Comments
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this discussion.