Nature's Trees University comes to Cantitoe Corners

I’ve been entrusting the tree care at all of my properties to the expert arborists at SavATree for many years. I must say that I’ve always been happy with the service they provide. My friend, Ralph Robbins, the founder and vice president of SavATree, asked me if it would be all right to conduct teaching seminars at my farm from time to time, and I, of course, agreed. So the other day, Dane Buell, the director of safety and training, came to my property and taught a class about proper pruning methods to eight SavATree arborists. This was actually part of a seven-day course that they call Nature’s Trees University.

Here’s the group looking very happy.  What a gorgeous day to learn about pruning!

This is Dane Buell. You might remember Dane from my blog dated January 11, when SavATree came to saw giant tabletops from a fallen sycamore tree. Dane announced that he reads the blog regularly ever since that posting. Thank you Dane!

Dane is pointing to potential problems with a young hackberry tree. He explained that it’s important to prune regularly to develop a tree’s future structure. In doing so, you can prevent incorrect growth that can really stress a tree as it matures and can also be ultimately hazardous.

A few snips with a pull-clip pruner and the problems are solved.

Another topic covered was subordination pruning. When a tree sends up more than one leader at the top, it’s important to prune one back so that there is a dominant central leader. By not doing so, the multiple leaders eventually become heavy and susceptible to splitting. Splitting can be prevented by cabling the branches, but cabling is far costlier than proper pruning.

Comments

[Nan Ashby]

Strange that I was about to send you an email about how or what do you do when a smaller tree is dominated by a bigger and older tree. My tree looks like it is fighting for its life. It is trying to get light but only keeps surviving somehow. I don't want to cut it down but pruning may be the answer. Thanks for your blog today showing problems of this kind. Nan

[Hardboiledegg]

I wish you would plant crepe Myrtles

on your property. Because here in Florida the vast majority of people do not prune this tree it is hacked back to a stump the structure you speak of is reduced to a trunk then year after year a fist is developed to be hacked back season after season it is UNbelieve able what people do to this tree-- now I have lived in this town for 25 years and have observed that since the average person moves seven times in their life time it is not the same person butchering the tree it is an IGNORANT Individual that merely repeats the same error from the previous owner it is also amazing that there is NO STANDARD to these Lawn /land SCRAPING crews-- for skills and knowledge --- that do more to impact global warming with the misuse of gas powered tools weed wackers harm trees and lawnmowers are not governed by emission control standards and hedge clippers have stunted many a shrub to a skeleton with only exterior leaves why is it LAND scaping people-- the newest hire is handed the tool that does the most damage -- a weed wacker one false move and the shrub plant is history

[Trish]

And how are those tabletops progressing?

Question 2: Why do all the great tree experts live up north? We had a guy climb our palms with spikes on that I assume eventually weakened the trees. We didn't know any better and I guess he didn't either. Unfortunately, they both toppled in the last 2 hurricanes but survived the 10 before.

It's good to see a woman in the group. Maybe she'll be trimming your trees sometime down the road. Trish

[Kathy]

Martha,
Thanks for another informative blog about SavATree. I enjoyed learning more about the pruning process. Cantitoe Corners is beautiful.
Enjoy Arbor Day!
Kathy

[Margie]

I wish the tree experts would come up with a solution regarding horses chewing the bark off trees. It would be a thrill to find a nutritional solution which would stop their need to eat bark and encourage an alternative selection. When horses have 500 acres to roam it is not lack of activity either.

[Sherey]

What a wonderful program this is, Martha! I would say it's a win-win situation for you and the arborists. So important to learn proper pruning techniques. It is sometimes sad to see what 'non-gardeners' do when they are confronted with trees, etc. that need pruning. A home nearby to me had what could have been a lovely hedge...unfortunately, the homeowners hacked it all. Totally unnecessary since there are many places to find good information as to how to proceed.

Your property is looking lovely and i enjoyed the peony segment a few days ago.

[Angela Willis]

Very informative, thank you. I would like to see a diagram of some sort on your site the next time you discuss pruning, coving various trees and shrubbery (like roses, etc.) that shows what should and should not be pruned, times of year, proper tools for pruning, and the basic idea behind how to know what to cut and where (possibly a tree drawing with marks where to cut to get a better understanding of how to shape the tree and what is necessary to take out and leave alone). Then maybe I wouldn't always be confused when I go to prune!

Angela

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, How cool that your beautiful property was chosen by SavATree as a perfect place to teach arborists about tree pruning! Not only did they benefit from the experience, but so did your trees. Not only do your trees look fantastic, but so does your sunny weather. Thanks again for sharing. Jan

[Andrew Ritchie]

Martha, I gotta say, I love what you're doing with trees! I see these lawns sometimes in the suburbs with one lonely tree surrounded by chemically-treated grass with not a hint of weed, and I find that sad. Growing up, I planted so many trees with my dad and learned to love each one.

I don't know if you have one yet, but consider devoting several acres to a classical arboretum. We have one here in Ottawa right in the middle of the city and it's so beautiful, year round: all kinds of trees!

Keep up the tree-planting!

-Andrew

[Sasha Libby]

I admit that pruning trees confuses me at the best of times. At what point in the life of the tree do you stop pruning it?

[Genevieve Cremaldi]

Dear Martha,
I was so happy to read your blog on SavATree and the Nature's Trees University. We just had all of our trees pruned last week. We live in Cambridge, MA and the company that pruned them seemed like they really knew about the trees. However, I did wonder if the men were trained. I was too embarassed to ask if they had to go through any formal training to be able to prune trees. Now that I have read your blog I am going to ask the crew manager when they come back to finish.
I love your show, your website, your blog, all of your books, your magazine, your line in Kmart and Macy's!!!!! I love YOU!
Keep up the great work. You are much appreciated!!!!!
Genevieve Cremaldi

[Joseph Brennan]

Martha:

I think it is great the way you are allowing SavATree to use your Bedford property for their training seminars.

It's a beautiful reminder of how sharing one's personal resources with others doesn't necessarily have to cost anything, but can have priceless far-reaching benefits for the future.

Regardless of our personal finances, we all have something we can share to make the world a better place. All we have to do is think creatively!

Thanks for giving back, Martha!