It is a kind of management of crops at younger and/or older stage in which branches live or dead are removed for further improvement of crops to produce knot free timber. It is the removal of branches from the trees.

Objectives of pruning

• To get clear, knot-free high grade timber
• To meet the demand of fuel wood and fodder
• To get access for inspection and reduce the chance of fire hazard

Kinds of pruning

On the basis of the kind of branches, pruning is classified into:

1. Dry pruning, i.e., pruning of dead branches
2. Green pruning, i.e., pruning of living branches

On the basis of agency of pruning, it is classified into:

1. Natural pruning: The natural death and fall of branches of standing trees from such causes as deficiency of light, decay, snow and ice. It is also known as self-pruning. Teak, most Eucalyptus species and kadam are good natural pruners.
2. Artificial pruning: The pruning done by forester without waiting for nature to do it in dense natural crops or where nature can not do it due to artificially large spacing between stems in man-made plantations to reduce cost of formation and rotation. It is a costly operation. So, artificial pruning is carried out considering the funds or outcomes.

When?

Trees cease growth during the winter. Therefore, winter is the best season to prune the trees. In other words, prune before the growth starts on trees. The best time for pruning is when crops are at early stage of life. Prune when the branches are thin. The time for first pruning should be done between 5-10 years of crop age. Dead branches may be pruned at any time.

How?

In order to get a free timber, cut the branches close to the cambium layer of stem. Do not leave branch stubs when pruning. Cut on the lower side of the branch before completing the removal with a cut from above. This avoids tearing off the stem. The damage on stem may help fungus and insects to attack.

Younger trees are pruned at 1/3rd the height of standing tree, while older trees are pruned at ½ of its height. Mature trees can be pruned up to 2/3rd height, if fodder and fuel wood scarcity is acute problem.

Use pruning saw (hand pruning saw or long-handled pruning saw) as far as practicable. Otherwise, local tools- Sickle and Khurpa are equally good, but should be very careful while pruning.

The purpose of pruning of fodder and fruit trees is to increase foliage and fruits, respectively. Pruning of fodder and fruit trees differ from that of timber objectives. Here, pruning is confined at secondary and tertiary branches leaving the leading branches untouched.

In difficult situation, always start cutting from the upper most branches and work your way down. The lower branches could be used for support.

Limitation

Pruning is a costly operation. Therefore, it is confined in pine plantation and fodder trees on farmlands.