Pruning Your Forest Trees

Pruning is removing branches of a standing tree flush with the outside of the branch collar. When pruning is done to increase income, trees that will grow to sawtimber size and quality are pruned. You might prune for safety, to improve the health or appearance of a tree, or to increase its commercial value. Proper pruning in a stand of trees destined for a lumber or veneer mill can be very profitable. It improves value by:

• Increasing production of high grade clear wood.
• Reducing stem taper.
• Hastening maturity into healthy, high value trees.
• Reducing damage potential from disease agents such as white pine blister rust.