This article discusses the importance of proper tree pruning, particularly in regions susceptible to wildfires. It examines the consequences of improper pruning, highlighting how it can weaken trees and increase the risk of limb breakage during strong winds. The author uses real-world examples, including the damage caused by recent Santa Ana winds, to illustrate the point.
This carob tree was improperly pruned, as evidenced by the lack of surrounding wound wood. Improper pruning can weaken trees and cause them to lose limbs. (Photo by Joshua Siskin)In the wake of our recent catastrophic fires, much can be written about the value of firescaping and its principles and I will get to that subject in a moment, but first let me say a few words about tree maintenance. The Santa Ana winds that spread the fires with lightning speed blew with hurricane force.
Although nothing can compare to the property damage — much less loss of life — caused by the wind-driven fires, it’s worth taking a moment to discuss tree damage not only from the recent Santa Anas, but from strong winds in general. On my own block, a massive limb of a carob tree broke off on the Santa Anas’ account and I was given the opportunity to examine it up close. If you see the massive branch of a tree that broke off in your neighborhood, perhaps you ask yourself the question: “There are plenty of big, thick tree branches up and down my street, so why did only this one break off?” The answer, more likely than not, is that the tree in question was improperly pruned. Where pruning cuts in a tree are improperly made, these cuts cannot properly heal and present an open invitation to pathogenic fungi. Once fungal spores get into an open wound where a faulty pruning cut was made, the interior of that branch could rot, weakening its attachment to the tree. In the particular case of the carob tree on my street, I noticed a poorly healed cut from a large branch that had been lopped off close to where the broken limb had been attached to the trunk. It is also true, however, that leguminous trees such as carob have a tendency for limbs to die back for no apparent reason, but this tendency will only be exacerbated by improper pruning. The most popular leguminous tree known for dying back is mimosa or silk tree (Albizia julibrissin). It is famous for its rapid growth into a perfect umbrella form but, within a decade or less, branches will start dying back. From my experience, pruning it will only hasten its decline since it seems to have a weak immune system and pruning cuts are slow to heal, if they ever do. The mimosa or silk tree (Albizia julibrissin) is known for its rapid growth, but often begins to die back within a decade. (Photo by Joshua Siskin) The coral tree (Erythrina caffra) is a leguminous species that is particularly hazardous. Each time I drive down San Vicente Boulevard in Brentwood, whose median is planted with coral trees, I am reminded of this tree’s fragility. Don’t get me wrong: the coral tree is a magnificent, muscular-limbed species that loses its leaves in the winter and then, still in leafless condition, produces a breathtaking blanket of fiery orange flowers. The only problem with the coral tree is that it simply cannot support its own weight and must be pruned at least once a year. The best time to do this would be in March or April, following bloom so as not to sacrifice flower production, but the moment your coral tree looks top heavy, you should prune it, no matter what the season, even if that means pruning every six months. I have seen many fallen or split-apart coral trees over the years, despite their having been pruned on an annual basis. If you look at the more mature coral trees on San Vicente Boulevard, you will notice that many of the trunks show scars where large branches have broken off. Because of their top-heaviness and brittle wood, coral trees don’t live long. Nevertheless, each time a coral tree on San Vicente Boulevard dies, it is replaced with another. Some would argue that a different, sturdier type of tree should be planted instead. Yet so beloved are the Brentwood coral trees by the surrounding residents that it has been written into the city’s specific plan that “no major alteration of the (San Vicente Boulevard) median strip shall occur without a public hearing.” This crepe myrtle tree has wound wood around a cut, indicating that the tree was properly pruned. (Photo by Joshua Siskin) So how do you identity a successful pruning cut? It’s quite easy since such a cut produces wound wood, a raised layer of callus tissue around the cut. This tissue effectively seals off the wound from entrance of pathogenic organisms. As I walked down my street and examined the pruning cuts on various trees, most of them were without wound wood. When a cut is made flush with a trunk or any large branch, no wound wood can form. Incidentally, the practice of coating pruning cuts with a tar-like gooey substance has been discredited since it can trap moisture on the cut surface, prevent healing, and encourage decay. Now for the tragic fires and what could be done to prevent them. The regulations we are obligated to follow, unfortunately, are woefully inadequate when it comes to preventing a fire from engulfing our home
TREE PRUNING WILDFIRES SANTA ANA WINDS FORESTRY LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT
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