Another photo.

Another photo...

I've cut some big babies off of mine and it's fine. Just get as close to the trunk as possible so there is no stub left.

Best time to do pruning is during the winter after the foliage have fallen off. You can gradually prune low branches every winter as it gets taller every year like what I did with Montezuma cypress trees. It will take several years before you're able to walk underneath the canopy. I think the rule of thumb is to keep 2/3 or 3/4th of the canopy after pruning. I got overzealous with pruning one time and ended up with 1/2 canopy and they looked funny for the whole year before they grew enough to get rid of that look. The lowest 3 or 4 branches depending on how much it grows this year should be pruned off and look great next year.

Just have to make sure to know where exactly to cut leaving collar branch intact so they close the wounds quickly.

Be sure to investigate Lou's advice as the advice in the first post in not correct.

Edit: Not correct in the sense that you don't necessarily get as close to the trunk as possible. That implies a flush cut which is definitely what you don't want. Nor do you want a stub though.

Wait until the plant drops its leaves and take a good look at the branching structure to determine what you can live with removing. Keeping in mind the plant will likely fill in.

Maybe remove a couple branches and then a couple more in spring.

That would be my game plan.

I have one that looks similar to yours (dense and stout)...one of my favorites.

This post was edited by whaas on Wed, Jul 3, 13 at 21:53

Thanks for the quick responses! I don't mean to sound stupid but I'm pretty new to this....what is the collar branch, when you say I need to keep intact so they close the wound quickly?

Branch collar- think what, half, maybe a whole inch or so off the trunk. Um...where the wood grain changes from vertical to horizontal. It is probably less bad to error on the side of an extra long stub. Also, pruning a branch of any size is a two step process. First cut off most kf the branch leaving six inches to a foot of a stub. Then make your precision cut. This way you have the majority of the falling / ripping weight off the tree.

what they all said ... with the qualification on what lisa said ...

adding two things

first.. get a saw like at the link.. the right tool for the right job ..

second .... first cut.. about a foot or two out from the trunk ... and get rid of all the hanging weight... THEN go in for the more precision cut... so you dont rip the trunk bark ...

'B' ,.. do it whenever you want.. i do .. and it usually involves the darn tree knocking off my hat while i am mowing at speed .... i have no sense of humor.. about being attacked by an inanimate object ... lol ...

XXI ... you have quite a jumble of branches there ... i would take the lowest 3 or 4 ... and then step back.. and see if i like the way it looks ... if not.. maybe one or two more... this might end up much more aggressive than other suggestions... but on an established tree.. they can cope.. as compared to a transplant ....

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: about 10 bucks at my store

Thanks for all the great advice everyone! I'm getting a little addicted to this website. Just joined a couple of days ago and am online reading posts all the time about similar plantings I have.

pweist, this is the second greatest tree enabling forum in existence. Don't hesitate to ask anything you have a question about. We are here to help!

The conifer forum would have to be #1. Do not visit that forum unless you are ready to open the wallet ;-)

John