Re: Pruning Acacia podalyriifolia...

May I add to Joe's good advice on pruning A. podalyriilolia?

K:  Not only do you NOT want to spray or paint with that awful black
"pruning seal", try to make your final "whole branch" cut just out
beyond the branch collar. This collar shows differently in different
trees; it may be a wrinkling of the bark around the base of the branch,
or just a slight swelling of the branch tissue. There is a concentration
of growth auxins in this area, so healing over of the wound will be
faster.

I think the art of pruning is most basic to the beauty of the garden.
Whether the pruning consists of just a pinch here and there to dense up
some growth as you tour your garden with coffee in the morning, or
periodic opening up and thinning out of too much growth, or shaping and
training growth into beautiful forms as seen in Japanese gardens.

It takes time, it takes thought, and it takes an eye for beauty. But the
more you do it, the better you get. I recommend contacting Plant
Amnesty, 906 N.W. 87th,  Seattle, WA 98117 (ph. 206-7839813) to ask for
their "Guide to Pruning" and other instructional leaflets. I've never
looked to see if they have a web-site.

Of course, an important step is to start early, before the tree or shrub
has gotten too big and out of hand. So many gardeners wait, and wait,
until the tree/shrub shows signs of splitting or breaking, then call in
the local "tree butchers" to top and chop. If they would have watched
the plant every year, and taken out growth to lighten and shape every
winter, they would have a handsome garden companion to admire as it
matures.

If you must prune a very large tree that has gone beyond you, be sure to
hire only a "certified arborist who will prune to the standards of the
"International Society of Arborculture"  ISA or the "National Arborist
Association" NAA.  Never, never hire anyone who advertises or agrees to
"topping"!

Sorry for the soap-box, but I truly believe, the most beautiful gardens
are created from (sometimes) ordinary plants, well grown and well
pruned, rather than vast collections of rare species, that the gardener
has not enough time to care for adequately.

That's my "two cents"!  I hope others want to comment.
Jan

Joe Seals wrote:

> K:
>
> 1)  I'm sure San Marcos nursery means that it will
> take "regular" pruning, as in shearing and hedging and
> the like.  With the exception of those familiar trees
> that are pollarded (sycamores, mulberries< and so on),
> I don't think many plants respond well to having large
> branches chopped to nubbins.  I also think that their
> definition of heavy pruning means that it produces
> branches so prolifically (hence, it's value as a
> formal hedge), that it will allow its owner to prune
> out WHOLE branches (back to the main) on a regular
> basis.
>
> I've seen this species pruned as a semi-informal
> hedge.  Where it was pruned REAL hard on the plant, it
> showed some non-response bare branches.
>
> 2)  The practice of applying "pruning paint" to cuts
> was debunked some years ago.  Keeping in mind to use a
> SHARP pruning tool and pruning back CLEANLY to a bud
> or the main (or another branch) minimizes disease and
> insect entrance as well as, if not better than,
> painting.  It also allows the plant itself to heal
> much more quickly.
>
> Joe Seals
> Santa Maria
> --- Krzysztof Kozminski <kk@kozminski.com> wrote:
> > Hello,
> >
> > My A.podalyriifolia is getting more & more
> > assymetrical, with about 75% of
> > all branch mass on the south side of the tree.
> > According the San Marcos
> > growers, it responds well to heavy pruning, but just
> > to be certain, I
> > would appreciate if anyone could share any positive
> > or negative
> > experiences with pruning this acacia.  In
> > particular, since I will
> > probably have to prune some branches nearly 2 inches
> > thick, I am wondering
> > whether to seal or not to seal the cuts (I'd hate
> > having the black sealant
> > on this tree...).
> >
> > KK
> > ====================
> > "Microsoft is to software what McDonalds is to
> > gourmet cooking"
> >
> > Krzysztof Kozminski
> > kk@kozminski.com
> > http://www.kozminski.com/
> >
>
> =====
> Joe Seals
> Santa Maria, Calilfornia --
> where the weather is always perfect
> and my garden always has something blooming
>
> __________________________________________________
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--
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jan Smithen,
Upland, California

jansmithen@earthlink.net
Sunset zone : 19
USDA zone   : 10

http://home.earthlink.net/~jansmithen/

Visit the Los Angeles County Arboretum
Victorian Rose Garden website at:
http://victorian-rose.org/
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