Comments on: pruning, pared way down

By: Margaret

Margaret — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:47:28 +0000

Welcome, Dennis. I think we have all done our share of misguided pruning; I know I have. I hate to think of some of the torture I inflicted in the early days. Glad to hear we have both learned from our wayward ways. :) See you soon again, and thanks for the encouraging words.

By: Dennis

Dennis — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:12:31 +0000

just wanted to thank you for the excellent website, I’ve been a big fan since I found you –

in looking through the pruning sections, I have to share a short story – way back in my earlier years, when I also knew nothing of pruning, I had a beautiful flowering cherry in my back yard, which I was intent on getting to ‘bush out’ for more blooms, so pruned severely – you know what happened, over a period of time it shot upward, weakened the tree, and the whole thing fell over in a heavy windstorm several years ago – imagine my surprise one morning, and my chagrin – all because of what I did in the early 80’s – things are better now…

thanks again, look forward to every posting

By: Margaret

Margaret — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:22:42 +0000

Welcome, Sandir. Thank you for the very kind words. Typically you prune them in winter (some orchardists do it in summer and there is dicsussion whether that leads to less resprouting), but I agree with your instinct: if there is danger of a branch falling off, I’d take it now, and water sprouts can some off anytime without harm. Then in January or February you can continue cleaning it up as needed. Hope to see you againnow that we are “reunited”. :)

By: Sandir

Sandir — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:32:34 +0000

Reading your pruning basics and we have an old pear tree which gave us delicious pears. We just moved to the property and have had the large oaks and a Siberian elm pruned and cabled by an arborist. But I want to take care of the pear myself. Iknow which branches are water sprouts and out they come tomorrow – OR is this not the right time of year to remove them? Can I also cut one of the large branchesshorter also to lighten the load on it. It is very heavy and bent over and I am afraid that wind and snow will snap it off.

Thank you fir a wonderful site which I discovered by accident. I love the frogboys. I always loved whenever you were on Martha and your articles in the magazine. I am going to look for your book at the library.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:25:22 +0000

Welcome, Ilona, and thanks for the kind words. Glad that Maxwell et al at Apartment Therapy sent you over. Pruning can be very meditative and feel very productive, yes. Me, too. I hope we see you here soon again.