A new excuse for bad pruning

I spent last week in Orlando at the ISA annual meeting (that’s the International Society for Arboriculture). It’s a great venue for networking with colleagues and hearing about the latest tree research. And once in a while I’ll have a WTF moment. (That stands for Why Trees Fail in case you’re wondering.)

My WTF experience this year revolved around some new terminology and techniques. I learned there are now “environmental arborists” who practice “retrenchment pruning.” In the last few days I’ve tried mightily to find some standard definitions from reputable sources. I don’t know what an environmental arborist is, since it’s not a certification (like an ISA certified arborist) nor is it a university degree program (like urban forestry or environmental horticulture). It seems to be a self-anointed title.

This is what a mature oak should look like.
This is what a mature urban oak should look like.

But the real WTF issue is retrenchment pruning. I looked in vain for published research through my usual data bases and found nothing – other than two articles in Arboricultural Journal (which is not the same as ISA’s journal – Arboriculture and Urban Forestry). Neither of the articles presented experimental evidence to justify this radical approach to pruning trees. Instead, they are more philosophical in nature, with a smattering of ecological theory.

Fortunately, retrenchment pruning methods are easily found on the internet, along with horrific pictures illustrating the results. As described on various websites, retrenchment pruning imitates the natural process of aging. Practitioners remove live branches or partial trunks to reduce the size of the tree and prevent future failure. These aren’t clean cuts, either: they’re “coronet cuts” or “natural fractures.” The rationale described in one of the Arboricultural Journal articles is that these jagged broken branches and trunks “promote specialist habitats and enhance colonisation rates of niche species.” In other words, this technique creates large wounds that are easily colonized by various insects and microbes.

An example of natural fracture pruning (http://www.countytreesurgeons.co.uk/veteran.html)
An example of natural fracture pruning (http://www.countytreesurgeons.co.uk/veteran.html)

So apparently we’re expected to ignore the well-established field of woody plant physiology (which happens to be my specialty) and related practical bodies of knowledge (e.g., formal and informal pruning techniques of said woody plants) and start hacking away at mature trees. In doing so, we’re removing live tissue and creating large wounds. This has the effect of both reducing photosynthetic potential of the tree as well as opening it up to possible pest or disease invasion. But nowhere are these possibilities discussed as part of the “natural aging process.” Nor was there mention about how to manage the epicormics shoots that result from improper pruning. And they do need to be managed.

These are epicormic shoots resulting from topping this tree.
These are epicormic shoots resulting from topping this tree.

I saw some very angry arborists at the ISA meeting who were incensed at the idea that we should deliberately malprune trees. But others seemed quite excited with this new philosophy. To paraphrase one of my plant physiology colleagues, “Give a bad arboricultural practice a catchy name and it magically becomes legitimate.”

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Linda Chalker-Scott

Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott has a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Oregon State University and is an ISA certified arborist and an ASCA consulting arborist. She is WSU’s Extension Urban Horticulturist and a Professor in the Department of Horticulture, and holds two affiliate associate professor positions at University of Washington. She conducts research in applied plant and soil sciences, publishing the results in scientific articles and university Extension fact sheets. Linda also is the award-winning author of five books: the horticultural myth-busting The Informed Gardener (2008) and The Informed Gardener Blooms Again (2010) from the University of Washington Press and Sustainable Landscapes and Gardens: Good Science – Practical Application (2009) from GFG Publishing, Inc., and How Plants Work: The Science Behind the Amazing Things Plants Do from Timber Press (2015). Her latest effort is an update of Art Kruckeberg’s Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest from UW Press (2019). In 2018 Linda was featured in a video series – The Science of Gardening – produced by The Great Courses. She also is one of the Garden Professors – a group of academic colleagues who educate and entertain through their blog and Facebook pages. Linda’s contribution to gardeners was recognized in 2017 by the Association for Garden Communicators as the first recipient of their Cynthia Westcott Scientific Writing Award. "The Garden Professors" Facebook page - www.facebook.com/TheGardenProfessors "The Garden Professors" Facebook group - www.facebook.com/groups/GardenProfessors Books: http://www.sustainablelandscapesandgardens.com

77 thoughts on “A new excuse for bad pruning”

  1. Hello, Your article was passed onto me by a colleague. I’m wondering how and who presented this information at the conference. It’s nothing to do with a catchy name. You’re right about coronet cuts as that is certainly a controversial topic, being that it’s unlikely that the new growth strengthens the tree at all. But either way these techniques are to be used on ancient trees, for example, perhaps lapsed pollards from 300 years ago. The tree may already have begun exhibiting distress. No one should retrench a tiny you tree like the one you showed having been topped. I am only a researcher, not a tree expert, but I have recently completed research on techniques specific to aging and ancient trees. Retrenchment pruning can be an excellent way to add decades to an old tree but it must done slowly and applied to the appropriate specimen. The ancient tree forum and this group might provide some insight http://www.treeworks.co.uk/neville_fay.php

      1. Hi Linda, I’m an Undergraduate student (and former arb) with prof Lynne Boddys Cardiff fungal ecology group. I am in the process of writing up the results from a study I conducted investigating the ecological and conservation merit of these pruning practices from the fungal perspective. Perhaps you would be interested in seeing the results when published. My email is pyneej@cardiff.ac.uk

        1. If this is published in a peer-reviewed journal you can link it here in the comments. But be forewarned that unless you are connecting your findings to mature tree phsyiology, it’s not relevant to the post. The only fungi I’m concerned about are mycorrhizal species associated with the roots which have demonstrated benefits. There are none on the crown that will be of benefit.

  2. Linda, a great deal has been written and presented on retrenchment pruning. The term has been in use in England since 1734. The German translates to “Regenerative Pruning”, which better describes the objective of regenerating a new, inner crown. See slide 12 for an example: http://www.historictreecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Retrenchment-for-Habitat-Fay-1507.pdf

    Retrenchment pruning and crown reduction in general does NOT involve extra wounding that is not specified. It’s all in the objective.Where increasing habitat for saproxylic insects is the objective, extra wounding such as coronet cutting is specified. See slides 10-11 of this excellent presentation, as presented to the European Parliament. If the overriding objectives are tree structure and health, cuts would instead be kept small, and more dynamic mass conserved.

    btw, Conservation Arboriculture is the term some use; I’ve never heard “Environmental Arboriculture” used. I hope you take the time to reexamine some of the mythical beliefs about pruning in the US. Shigo would be spinning in his grave if he saw the tree mutilation done in the name of “Shigo/collar cuts”! O and…how can we get the US Congress to take the time to hear about trees and their care?

    1. Guy, please provide links or citations to peer reviewed work on this practice. I can’t find any, and as a woody plant physiologist I need to see published studies comparing conventionally managed trees to those subjected to retrenchment pruning.

      1. Hi Linda,

        Please read;

        Ancient and other veteran trees: further guidance on management.(ISBN: 978-0-904853-09-4) David Lonsdale (Publisher of the Principles of Tree Hazard Assessment and Management which i am sure you are aware of).

        Also; Veteran Trees – A guide to good management (ISBN 1 85716 474 1) a published book by English Nature in conjuntion with The Forestry Commision.

        Retrentrchment pruning mimmicks the natural cylce of a a tree in late maturity, of course it very rarely has its place in an urban environment but occasionally it does providing the risk of failure has been assessed. Normally most arborists are far too heavy handed though and crown reductions should be kept to a minimum and done in a phased fashion.

        Coronet cuts are not done for the trees benefits but for the saproxylic invertebrates that are only found in niche environments.

        Anyway some very useful infomation in the above reccomendations.

        1. I admit I’ve not seen either of these books, because I focus on peer-reviewed information. I’m a little concerned about the applicability of Dr. Lonsdale’s peer-reviewed research (the sources you mention are not). For those that don’t know, Dr. Lonsdale is a tree pathologist. He is an expert on wood-decay fungi and his primary interest is “deadwoodology”. I agree that woody debris is vitally important to landscapes, managed or otherwise. What concerns me is that he promotes inoculating standing trees with decay fungi to increase woody debris production (see below for an except). While this may be desirable in a woodlot, it is probably not what homeowners want, or those who manage public greenspaces with standing trees. In my opinion, a book on managing aging trees should be a peer-reviewed resource with an emphasis on optimizing tree health.

          There’s probably some middle ground here, but right now the enthusiasm for the practice appears to outweigh the necessary verification by independent woody plant physiologists.

          “These include restricting salvage operations in windthrow stands, actively encouraging the accumulation of deadwood in forests, and facilitating decay in standing trees by inoculating them with fungi.” (from Lonsdale, David. 2008. Wood-decaying fungi in the forest: conservation needs and management options [electronic resource]. European journal of forest research, Vol.127(1), p.1-22.

          1. Still waiting for a reply on the Grabosky/Gilman work. And the other peer-reviewed work on reduction pruning by those two and also Follett, Rieland, Goodfellow, etc.
            These continued references to popular but unproven theories about reduction pruning as ‘conventional’ and traditional’ does not confer credibility.

            Specified reduction with small cuts is a proven practice, unrelated to unspecified reduction with large, often internodal cuts is night-and-day different.. You can’t discredit the first by lumping it together with the second, or with intentional wounding like coronet cuts, or with intentional infecting. Those are red herrings.

            Specified reduction spurs interior growth that is easily managed.

            Reduction of tree crowns is largely misunderstood, due in large
            part to confusion with reckless and internodal topping. Reduction
            does remove some photosynthetic potential, but the remaining leaves
            can increase their energy production, and new leaves are formed
            per need. Formal research on crown reduction is almost impossible
            due to the large number of variables, so one trend has been to repeat
            simple criteria, like the one-third rules applied to stem walls and
            branch diameter ratios. Research on structural pruning shows the
            removal of a large codominant stem will introduce decay into the
            other, so subordination is preferred. Reduction slows its growth
            rate, subordinating the stem into a branch. Discoloration and decay
            is farther from the fork, protecting the remaining stem. Compartmentalization
            also depends on species, the activity of the parenchyma
            cells, and the availability of stored material. Late summer
            crown reduction may elicit both a favorable wound response and
            more manageable regrowth.
            Retrenchment first referred to soldiers who retreated back to a line
            they could defend, where landforms and supplies allowed them to
            dig in and fight anew. This concept relates very well to declining trees,
            so before cutting any branches to reduce the size of the canopy, visualize
            the new canopy outline. The objective is to make reduction cuts
            so that branch tips are left intact on the new, smaller canopy. For
            trees with strength loss at the base, as little as a 10 percent reduction
            22 http://www.isa-arbor.com ARBORIST • NEWS
            Restoring Trees: One Branch at a Time (continued)
            Six years after heading, the 6-inch wound on this central leader is fully
            closed. One of the six large sprouts were removed, and two subordinated.
            The less dominant leaders were slower to close their wounds.
            Six years after heading,
            form is restored. Pruning
            was conservative out of
            concern for biomechanical
            stability, resource
            loss, and sunscald. One
            more treatment is
            scheduled five years
            later.
            Reduced in 2001, this 10-foot (3 m) stub did not sprout until 2004. Coring
            done in 2009 showed no decay spread past the two new terminal branches.
            in height often adds a great amount of stability. This effect is reported
            in Tree Statics tests and calculations on many trees in Europe that
            have been slightly reduced and successfully retained. Older trees die
            back when sufficient water cannot reach their periphery. Retrenchment
            makes more water available and redirects growth to a lower, consolidated
            crown. This pruning also redirects hormonal growth regulation,
            often resulting in reiteration and rejuvenation.

                  1. Plenty of ongoing research being conducted successfully at the Davey Research Farm in Shaylersville, OH. That it hasn’t all been published yet does not change the fact that the preliminary findings are proving the viability of this methodology. There is definitely a right and many wrong ways to approach retrenchment pruning. As overextended oaks continue to break due to overextended lever arms, shall we wait for all the peer reviews or do what we know works? Research, unfortunately, too often moves at the speed of traffic in LA.

                    1. You and Guy have been saying this same thing for a couple of years now. And I’ll repeat – until published, information is just anecdotal, regardless of who is providing it. Moreover, a Google search of “Davey Research Farm” and “retrenchment” had zero results.
                      As yet, there is no “right” way to do retrenchment pruning because there is no reliable science to guide it. Young tree responses to pruning are both researched and well understood from a plant physiology perspective: in other words, it’s easier to predict what’s going to happen because there is a robust body of literature to draw on for predicting responses. Mature tree responses to pruning are different, because their resource allotment is different, their morphology is different, their physiology is different…and so on. The literature that does exist on the physiology of senior trees does NOT support retrenchment pruning – so we can hardly jump on the retrenchment bandwagon solely on the basis of anecdotal evidence.
                      If and when there is something experimental in the peer-reviewed literature that specificallt pertains to retrenchment pruning of mature trees, we can certainly discuss it. But even now – nearly three years after I posted this – there’s still nothing. I gave a talk on the science behind mature tree responses to pruning at the 2016 ISA meeting and other venues since then: bottom line, our current understanding of mature tree physiology does not support retrenchment pruning.

                    1. I’m not sure why climbing is a prerequisite for understanding how to manage trees. I have a PhD in woody plant physiology and I’m an ISA certified arborist (since 1999) and ASCA consulting arborist. I also provide training to arborists and landscape managers all over the world. Understanding woody plant physiology (i.e., how trees work) is key to understanding how to prune and otherwise manage them.

  3. Left a quick (still wordy) comment on the Garden Professors. Looks like this was Alexander Laver’s stuff over in the UK. Guy Meilleur’s historic tree work is somewhat more scientifically based. But he did reference the Laver’s talk on his blog at Historic Tree Care.

    Being an instructor in arboriculture myself (through AL extension) I still don’t advocate for the retention of really old trees except in specific situations. Risk management and realities of lifespan really should take precedence in my opinion.

    1. It was Laver’s work (who doesn’t appear to have published anything in the scientific literature). Nor can I find any experimental work published by Guy. Granted, I’ve only been searching for a few days but the fact I’ve come up with nothing in the mainstream plant science literature is alarming.

  4. Linda, as a woody plant physiologist I need to see published studies that compare standard crown reduction on mature trees to those subjected to the butchery that is sometimes called “conventional management.” or CM.

    Large wounds that will not seal, excessive lower branch removal, ignoring the hazard in overextended limbs; these are the hallmarks of CM. O and too bad you missed ISA last year:

    August 6, 2014: Retrenching and Regenerating Trees: An International Perspective ISA International Conference, Milwaukee WI US
    As trees grow large, they no longer fit around urban infrastructure. Roots and branches are often harshly reduced to make room for human activities. Retrenchment pruning is a phased form of crown reduction that retains biomechanical integrity by shedding small branches and developing a lower crown. International pruning standards agree, with some variation, that specifying this work can meet the objective of sustaining the substantial benefits from older trees. Systematic specifications for retrenching the branches and roots of trees with hollows and other perceived hazards have maintained reasonable costs and risks on trees around the world.

  5. If the subject is published, peer-reviewed, experimental studies supporting ANY *mature* tree pruning practice, it seems like a rather empty subject. Are there any? The lack should not be alarming to anyone familiar with the myriad variables involved in the responses of mature trees.

    Alexander’s from the UK, where we met in 2012. A good chap, one of many dozens I reference. Coronet (little crown) cutting is a fad in countries with crowned heads of state. I’m not now and have never been a coronet cutter, but I’ve never been assigned to create habitat for stag beetles, either. It’s not uncommon in Sweden; never seen it hurt or help a tree significantly so I wonder what’s the fuss?

    . Also in the US we are not familiar with the anatomy and physiology of Q. robur, the dominant oak species over there. So our views of Q robur management are limited.

    Regenerative/Retrenchment pruning is a separate subject. It’s established in other countries’ standards and successful use in managing risk and extending tree lifespans. The A300 corporate standard embraces commonly repeated principles, despite the lack of published, peer-reviewed, experimental studies supporting any self-anointed ‘conventional’ tree pruning practices.

    One study on young trees diminished the myth that removal cuts are better than reduction cuts, supporting the primary element of regenerative pruning: http://joa.isa-arbor.com/request.asp?JournalID=1&ArticleID=3013&Type=2

    1. So I guess the answer is no. There are no studies on mature trees comparing retrenchment pruning to research-supported methods.

      The “fuss” is that there is no regard for the points I brought up. Removal of live tissues reduces photosynthetic ability and imposes a stress on trees whose vigor may already be reduced with age. “Natural fracture” pruning opens up wounds to be colonized by insects and disease. Epicormic shoot growth will require management (and the cynical part of me suggests this ensures continued business). These are the types of concerns that woody plant physiologists have with the practice.

      Where is the evidence that regenerative/retrenchment pruning is “successful in extending tree lifespans?” Such a statement *requires* published experimental evidence. Otherwise, it’s just an opinion.

  6. Of those 812 hits, how many studies are done on mature trees? I’d like to know of any research-verified, not just ‘-supported’ methods. “Suggestions” don’t really count do they?

    Please cite research verifying that the removal of live tissues reduces photosynthetic ability. Where is your proof that other leaves do not photosynthesize more when they are exposed to more light? Several studies indicate the opposite.

    Please cite research proving that trees’ whose vigor is reduced with age. Research by Sillett et al document high vigor, showing this assumption is not always true.

    “Natural fracture” pruning is a separate subject from retrenchment pruning.

    Please cite research proving that response growth will require extra management. The Gilman/Grabosky paper I cited showed the opposite: The greatest response growth is not from the cut ends, but from interior growth. This proves the efficacy of regenerative pruning. A related study is also not on mature trees, but it supports the efficacy of reduction pruning: http://hort.ufl.edu/woody/documents/articles/EFG1002.pdf

    So far with paper-citing, the score is 2 to 0. Reading Grabosky/Gilman first would obviate any concerns that academics with less experience might have about reduction pruning. It might also resolve the confusion about the rare practice of coronet cuts.

    The evidence that regenerative/retrenchment pruning is “successful in extending tree lifespans” is in the standing, thriving trees that were once condemned by misinformed assessors who said they could not be managed by ‘conventionable pruning’ criteria.
    Such a statement *requires* published experimental evidence. Otherwise, it’s just a bad opinion.

  7. Linda, it takes very little time to look at the Grabosky/Gilman papers to see very strong evidence that reduction pruning works to retrench and regenerate trees..

    Nothing spurious about the positive correlation. There was no other way to manage the trees, in spite of underinformed condemnations based on ‘conventional’ misinformation.
    Pruning alone occurred prior to regeneration. No other potential causes present themselves.

    Can any mature tree pruning efficacy be proven by GP criteria, given all the variables?

  8. Intentional wounding provokes serious concerns, and is not commonly done during crown reduction. At one time it was theorised that more surface area of cambium would mean more regrowth, but that has not panned out.

    When larger cuts than necessary are made, that is also intentional wounding. Exposing more heartwood is worse than exposing mainly sapwood. The commonly quoted criteria like the 1/3 rule, removal cuts are better sealed, etc. result in a lot of needless decay, much more than the
    Coronetting/Fracturing fad/aesthetic preference.

    Re your original post about ‘very angry…incensed’ arborists at the convention; I was there the whole time and heard none of it. I spent hours around my poster on retrenchment pruning talking to people. Over 400 handouts were picked up; (sorry if they were out when you passed by!)

    There were varying levels of agreement about crown retrenchment, some fine points were discussed, but no overt diagreement. Anyone angered or incensed would have stood out in the crowd! Please invite anyone to submit questions about any issues; most are easily resolved.

  9. Recent Myths:

    1. “There are studies on mature trees that unquestionably establish pruning methods that are commonly taught.”

    2. “Removal of live tissues reduces photosynthetic ability. (This one is obviously false but is still repeated ad nauseam.)”

    3. “Shoot growth will require extra management.”

    These are some of the unproved assumptions that practical woody plant physiologists do not understand. References please?.

    1. Let’s start with these quotes, which are all from Drs. Harris, Clark and Matheny Arboriculture (4th edition). If you are not familiar with this edition of the book, you’ll be relieved to know that it cites primary literature. I’m sure you have the book and can look these up yourself.

      1) There is a section (pages 360-369) on pruning mature trees. It is full of recommendations, based on published studies, on how to prune mature trees. It does state, however, that “Heading, unfortunately, is often used by well-intentioned but ill-informed people to reduce tree size…Regrowth from below the cuts is dense, vigorous, and upright.” It goes on to explain why this is a problem – which is point #3 below.

      2) This one seems fairly obvious to me – if you remove leaves you have less photosynthetic area. And sure, you’ll get new leaves forming, but “Even with more and larger leaves on longer individual shoots, there are fewer shoots with less total leaf area and fewer buds” (p. 337).

      3) “Heading young branches and leaders usually results in vigorous, upright growth from one or more buds just below the cut…Vigorous new growth from large heading cuts is attached only by the thin layer of new wood formed after pruning. It is weakly attached and can break out easily.”

      Don’t like Harris et al.? Maybe you like Dr. Lee Reich’s information (The Pruning Book) better. “Let’s get one fact straight: Pruning dwarfs plants. Leaves are what make food for a plant, and the stems are one place in which plants squirrel away food for later use. Cut away a stem or a leaf, and you have left the plant with less food…If you were to tally together the weight of the stems pruned off plus the weight of the new growth that the tree would have made if it had not been pruned, you would find this total to be significantly greater than the weight of the new growth on a pruned tree.”

      You will need to provide some pretty substantial evidence to discount this body of knowledge.

  10. So if an article or book cites primary literature, that mean that all of the opinions expressed are “scientific knowledge”? Cool–that is so easy! btw one Harris co-author is not a PhD; not that that matters. She’s a good writer, but not a pruning expert.

    1) There is a section (pages 360-369) on pruning mature trees. It is full of recommendations, based on published studies, on how to prune mature trees. It does state, however, that “Heading, unfortunately, is often used by well-intentioned but ill-informed people to reduce tree size…Regrowth from below the cuts is dense, vigorous, and upright.” It goes on to explain why this is a problem – which is point #3 below.

    “Heading” has several definitions. It’s an antiquated trade term; the above reference is unclear. I already cited Grabosky/Gilman (2009) which was controlled experimentation on reduction cuts that showed a gradual and sustainable tree response.
    Proper regenerative pruning does NOT involve “large heading cuts”. Your first blog post confused intentional wounding for wildlife with regenerative pruning. That got sorted, but now it’s being mixed up with topping. Perhaps by reading the primary literature, you can stay on the topic.

    In the paragraph prior to the one you quoted, Harris et al nicely describe retrenchment pruning–how did you miss that? ** “Old trees that are of low vigor and have failing branches can be kept healthy and attractive for additional years by removing the weak-growing and dying limbs in their extremities, particularly their tops.” **

    2) This one seems fairly obvious to me – if you remove leaves you have less photosynthetic area. And sure, you’ll get new leaves forming, but “Even with more and larger leaves on longer individual shoots, there are fewer shoots with less total leaf area and fewer buds” (p. 337).

    This quote was NOT in the mature tree section. Big cuts on baby trees are off topic.
    The question was: Does total leaf area = photosynthetic capacity? Factors like sunlight, chlorophyll, structures within the leaf, seem to play a part as well. It’s not that simple.

    3) “Heading young branches and leaders usually results in vigorous, upright growth from one or more buds just below the cut…Vigorous new growth from large heading cuts is attached only by the thin layer of new wood formed after pruning. It is weakly attached and can break out easily.”

    “Heading” young leaders is not the topic–we are talking about mature trees! Again the unscientific term confuses specified reduction with topping. The book you reference has many alternatives to topping/lopping/heading cuts: reduction cuts “will retain a tree’s characteristic form, minimize the problems of decay and regrowth, let more light in to retain interior foliage…” p 364.

    Don’t like Harris et al.?

    I like that book more than any other book on tree care. But every recommendation is not Fact, and the parts about *mature* tree care are relevant to the topic of retrenchment pruning.

    Maybe you like Dr. Lee Reich’s information (The Pruning Book) better.

    Just because “Dr.” is before someone’s name, they can still overextrapolate, and overstate! Statements about growing young trees do not inform the objective of conserving mature trees.

    Here is a body of knowledge on regenerative pruning that cites primary sources and was reviewed by peers:

    http://www.historictreecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/restore_2010_06.pdf

    http://www.historictreecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/RETRENCHING-HOLLOW-TREES-FOR-LIFE-131126.pdf

    http://www.historictreecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/selective-heading-cuts.pdf

    http://www.historictreecare.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ISA-CEU-Basic-Tree-Risk-Assessment-complete.pdf

    Del Tredici, Peter. Aging and Rejuvenation in Trees, Arnoldia 1999-2000 Winter http://arnoldia.arboretum.harvard.edu/pdf/articles/1999-59-4-aging-and-rejuvenation-in-trees.pdf
    Gilman, Edward F. et al. Assessing Damage and Restoring Trees after a Hurricane, ENH 1036.University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep291
    Goodfellow, John. Final Report: Development of Risk Assessment Criteria for Branch Failures within the Crowns of Trees. 2009 http://www.ecosync.com/tdworld/Branch%20Failure%20Investigation.pdf
    Meilleur, G.P. Detective Dendro and the Devious Dieback, Retrenchment and pruning, Arborist News, June 2012

    Meilleur, G.P. Mike O’Ryza and Partial Pollarding for Parrots, Australia/UK Arbor Age, Feb/Mar 2012

    Meilleur, G.P. Mike O’Ryza and the Vexing View, Australia/UK Arbor Age, Dec/Jan 2012

    Meilleur, G.P. Biomechanics and Pruning, Australia/UK Arbor Age, Sep/Oct 2010

    Meilleur, G.P. Restoration Pruning, Arborist News, June 2010 http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/f1a4dcaa#/f1a4dcaa/1

    Meilleur, G.P. Severing Subterranean Stranglers, Proceedings of Landscape Below Ground III, September 2009

    Meilleur, G.P. The Power of Positive Pole Pruning, Arborist News, June 2008 http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/e14cd2f8#/e14cd2f8/1

    Meilleur, G.P. Pruning Stem-Girdling Roots, Tree Care Industry, July 2007
    Page 8 here: http://www.tcia.org/PDFs/TCI_Mag_July_07.pdf

    Meilleur, G.P. Assessing, Repairing and Preventing Lightning Damage, Bark tracing, Tree Care Industry, June 2007. Page 8 here: http://www.tcia.org/PDFs/TCI_Mag_June_07.pdf

    Meilleur, G.P. Basic Tree Risk Assessment and CEU test, Arborist News, October 2006 http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/c56ea66e#/c56ea66e/1

    Meilleur, G.P. Tree Risk Mitigation, Tree Care Industry, October 2005
    Page 56 here: http://www.tcia.org/PDFs/TCI_Mag_Oct_05.pdf

    Meilleur, G.P. Selective Heading Cuts after Storm Damage. Arborist News, August 2004 http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/9c7f82fc#/9c7f82fc/1

    Pfisterer, J. 1999. Geholzschnitt nach den Gesetzen der Natur (Tree pruning according to the laws of nature). Stuttgart, Germany: Verlag Eugen Ulmer.
    Read, Helen. Veteran trees: A guide to good management Peterborough : English Nature, 2000.
    Shigo, Alex. A New Tree Biology. Shigo & Trees Assoc., 1991.

    You will need to provide some pretty substantial evidence to discount this body of knowledge. But at a minimum please skim Grabosky/Gilman to clear up that misconception.

    1. Guy, many of your references are not peer-reviewed. I’m not sure you know what the term means. Peer-reviewed is (ideally) a double-blind method of reviewing manuscripts, including books. Popular articles don’t meet this standard. As I’ve said before, there is NO published, experimental, peer-reviewed literature on the topic of retrenchment pruning.

      I’m not going to denigrate your lifelong experience in arboriculture. But the consensus among PhD woody plant physiologists that I know (all of whom have academic credentials and many of whom are practicing arborists) is that retrenchment pruning as described by popular literature and websites is not a science-supported method of managing mature trees. Your suppositions regarding photosynthetic capability and plant responses to pruning do not agree with the body of knowledge that constitutes woody plant physiology. Basic college textbooks on whole plant physiology can explain this.

      1. Linda, please refer to Gilman/Grabosky’s 2 papers cited earlier, and the Goodfellow (2009) as well, before changing the subject. As I’ve said before, there is more published, and nearly published, experimental, peer-reviewed literature on the topic of “specified reduction pruning to stimulate an inner crown” which is the primary act in the retrenchment/regeneration process.

        Their *data* support the economic and biologically effective practice of specified reduction pruning on mature tree crowns and branches. Interior growth on 2 oak species was much stronger than growth near the cuts. The pruning helped the trees ‘grow downward’, aka retrench, aka regenerate.

        This practice has nothing to do with topping young trees, or internodal cuts of any kind. It has nothing to do with torn cuts. Wound size is typically limited to <4", unlike the commonly promulgated criteria and standards. "Reconfiguring" is how the ISA BMP describes proper crown reduction to stimulate an inner crown. That was reviewed by 80+ peers; does it not count? Is there another definition?

        Many of my references were indeed peer-reviewed, if that includes a single-blind method of the author not knowing the reviewer during review (usually we chat after though). They all cite the kind of references and studies and primary research like the Grabosky/Gilman work. *Please address that data* before citing chat with a few PhD buddies as 'consensus'. I was at the same conference for four days and none of my BCMA, ETT etc. buddies were 'incensed' about anything.

        My informal study shows that academic credentials imply little scholarly inquiry. Dr. Gilman was notable in engaging the material. The rest of your in crowd failed to express why they were 'very angry', or anything at all, when seeing a poster with that title. During hours of contact with peers, there never was heard a discouraging word. But I don't fool myself into thinking that's a consensus; many are unfamiliar with the practice and are still working out what it means.

        They must be looking at a very narrow and denigrating list of popular literature and websites. Your picture of the little topped tree was just like the images of torn-up cuts have nothing to do with "reduction pruning to stimulate an inner crown"; irrelevant, inflammatory, misleading, will incite to get such misconceptions. If they define 'retrenchment' with coronet cuts, they are changing, or at least missing, the subject. It's important to focus on the Data. Discussion is connected, Conclusions are less connected, and cocktail gossip is just that.

        Consensus is the watchword of the A300 Tree Care Standard, and the ISA BMP, which both describe proper reduction pruning and specified cuts that many might call by the uncertain term 'heading'. It's not perfect, but it's a more verifiable form of consensus. They welcome comments from woody plant physiologists of all backgrounds. But first it's key to get clear on the terms, and *address the data* establishing long-term benefits from reduction pruning of older trees to stimulate an inner crown.

        1. I haven’t changed the subject. I responded to your three “myths” along with a request for substantial evidence to suggest that decades’ worth of woody plant physiology research on pruning responses should be ignored. Your second myth about photosynthetic reduction from pruning is wrong. I’ve yet to understand why you come to this conclusion in a way that’s supported by any plant physiology research. Your third myth about shoot growth resulting from heading cuts is also wrong. Removal of actively growing terminal tissues results in the release of dormant buds and the uncontrolled growth of weakly attached epicormic shoots. Again, this is well established information. The only way this wouldn’t happen would be if the terminal tissue in question was dead – and we’re not talking about pruning deadwood or dying limbs. That’s a completely different topic than “retrenchment pruning.”

          So if you can agree that those two “myths” are not myths at all, we can move back to the discussion about methods of pruning mature trees. Otherwise, I’m done responding to an ever changing list of stuff.

      2. Good Lord Linda your pre-conceived bias is dripping from your comments. Both Guy and I are BCMA’s with combined arboricultural experience of nearly 100 years. Retrenchment pruning is a well accepted topic in the arboricultual community. There is ongoing research at the Davey research plot in Ohio. Experienced, tenured arborists have seen it work. Guy in particular is very deliberate in advocating for small diameter cuts back to nodes or side branches. We are waiting for the not so well funded research to catch up. So, would you have us simply cut down historic trees, or perhaps just fall apart and kill people?

        1. Wow. So many assumptions and inaccuracies. Let’s see.
          1) As I mentioned earlier, the way science works is to approach a topic with a question or hypothesis. Before I did this literature review, I’d never seen the words “retrenchment pruning” in a peer-reviewed, scientific article. I still haven’t. So no bias – just a complete lack of experimental evidence (or even theoretical evidence) to support retrenchment pruning. However, the scientific information out there on pruning mature trees and mature tree physiology most certainly does not support retrenchment pruning.
          2) Congratulations on your experience. I’m also a certified arborist. And I have a doctorate in horticulture specializing in woody plant physiology. I imagine the combined experience of all the woody plant physiologists who’ve published on the topics of mature tree physiology and pruning mature trees is also fairly substantial.
          3) What evidence do you have that retrenchment pruning is a “well accepted topic” in the arboricultural community? (I assume you mean practice, not topic.) If this is true, shouldn’t it be in the ISA pruning standards?
          4) I’ll look forward to Davey’s published research.
          5) What is a “tenured arborist?” Tenure is generally a term used in academia given to a faculty member who has been given a permanent teaching appointment. I’m a tenured professor, but I’m not a tenured arborist.
          6) There are science-based, conventional methods for pruning trees, as I’m sure you know. Cutting them down or having them kill people aren’t the only alternatives.

  11. I am happy to move back to the discussion about methods of pruning mature trees. We can start with the Grabosky/Gilman studies that show the proper removal of actively growing terminal tissues results less in the controlled release of dormant buds and more in the gradual, sustainable growth of well attached preexisting shoots. They did not witness in their research any rampant, uncontrollable sprouting; which study are you referring to?

    Just because observations of tree responses to topping are often repeated, does not make them well established information on specified reduction. If we both understand that retrenchment or regenerative pruning is “specified reduction pruning to stimulate an inner crown”, then we can discuss the implications of the research I have cited.

    Do you agree with this definition, or do you prefer another?

  12. What is retrenchment pruning, what’s it got to do with tree care, and why should you care?

    I’m glad you asked! Dictionary definitions of ‘retrench’ include: To live at less expenses; To confine, limit or restrict; To cut off, pare away; To reinforce. The term has been used in literature and in relation to trees and their care since 1734.

    What do European standards say? They’ve been at this longer than we have.
    England’s BS 3998: “Retrenchment pruning is a phased form of crown reduction, which is intended to emulate the natural process whereby the crown of a declining tree retains its overall biomechanical integrity by becoming smaller through the progressive shedding of small branches and the development of the lower crown (retrenchment). This natural loss of branches of poor vitality improves the ratio between dynamic (biologically active) and static (inactive) mass, thus helping the tree as a whole to retain good physiological function… The pruning should be implemented by shortening heavy, long or weakened branches throughout the crown, while retaining as much leaf area as possible and encouraging the development of new secondary branches from epicormic shoots or from dormant or adventitious buds.”

    Germany’s ZTV standard: “3.1.9: Focus on habit and physiological requirements.
    3.1.9.1, Regenerative Pruning: Trees showing significant signs of aging in the outer parts of the crown and the development of a secondary crown are to be cut back as far as necessary (crown reduction). 3.1.9.2: Crown part reduction: Individual branches are to be reduced in accordance with safety requirements and/or the surrounding tree environment. If necessary, areas surrounding the sections that have been reduced may require thinning to establish symmetry (and light penetration to inner foliage). 3.1.9.3: Crown reduction: The entire crown is to be reduced in height and/or spread, for safety or site needs. The extent of crown reduction is specifically dependent on the species and growth habit, and shall be <20%….Vigorous sprouts must be thinned and/or reduced. Cuts must be made above the old pruning wounds, avoiding damage to woundwood. As a rule, repeat every 3-5 years. Form a secondary (reiterative) crown over time."

    Both these standards were reviewed by dozens of peers, many of them PhD level and beyond. If there is any research showing these above-described practices are not good practices, please produce it! Retrenchment pruning was regenerating tree crowns in Europe before Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492, so the practice seems well-established.

    This webinar cites primary research by Rieland, Follett, Goodfellow, etc. demonstrating that reduction pruning of healthy trees increases tree stability, with good health and low maintenance.

    https://meeting.psu.edu/p94y60hp9zi/

    Please advise if anything is not clear, and I will be glad to respond. No need to get incensed!

  13. “Increasing the light intensity will boost the speed of photosynthesis.” from http://fhs-bio-wiki.pbworks.com/w/page/12145771/Factors%20effecting%20the%20rate%20of%20photosynthesis along with many other studies of tree physiology tend to debunk the myth about “photosynthetic reduction always results from pruning”. I’ve yet to understand how anyone could come to this conclusion in a way that’s supported by any plant physiology research.

  14. This is from one of the 2 articles mentioned by the OP. It is more than “philosophy with a smattering of ecological theory”. It provides specific guidance based on experience and study, and specifies extra wounding for habitat as the exception, not the rule. This should clarify the primary misconception expressed in the OP.

    ” This leads to an approach to restoration of trees that appear to be stressed or prone to catastrophic failure.
    Techniques typically incorporate a combination of techniques and a gradual and metered treatment
    including:
    • End weight reduction: selective thinning or reduction of peripheral growth (as opposed to
    internal growth)
    • Foliar mass reduction: The minimum foliar mass necessary to achieve staged reduction should be
    removed in any operation
    • Crown reduction: This is generally favored in comparison to cable bracing and retaining full
    crown scale
    • Crown reduction in pollards: This is generally favored as an the alternative of pole thinning
    • Considering long-term management plans: Over the period of a restoration program, there will be
    a gradual reduction of crown height and extent, modeled on the natural process of crown
    retrenchment; stimulating rejuvenation growth within the lower portions of the canopy.
    • Periods of management: These are planned to take account of cycles of treatment spread over
    sufficiently long time to be gradual and effective. These typically do not involve only one
    treatment.
    Considering pollard restoration experience indicates that the following is important:
    • When restoring a primary pollard, it is generally recognized that the poles, or principal branches
    be cut no lower than five times the diameter above the bolling (or point to pole origin).
    • When restoring to a tiered pollard, the new target level should aim to be approximately 10 times
    the pole diameter above the bolling (or point of pole origin)
    • Final cuts should aim to be no greater than 20 cm stem diameter
    • Coronet cuts should be considered on non-crucial structural members and should attempt for
    maximum depth and acuteness of angle to mimic natural fracture habitat.”

  15. Grabosky and Gilman on the efficacy of reduction pruning: “Much as the BPZ is thought to limit ingress of decay from a removal cut, this internal structure would impact the attenuation of a discoloration zone downward from a reduction cut, thus potentially limiting discoloration depth.”

    Response of Two Oak Species to Reduction Pruning Cuts by Jason C. Grabosky and Edward F. Gilman

    I talked about reduction pruning to 100s of people at ISA-PNW last week. All of the alleged very angry, incensed people who kept their lights under bushels at Orlando also stayed silent in Oregon. Maybe this alleged anger is just another myth? It sure ain’t scientific!

    1. Sometimes in life in our arrogance we humans like to over complicate things . We are so self important with our studies and research….take a walk in the woods for crying out loud and look what trees do!
      They will tell you what works….
      Good banter though. And no I’m not saying research is bad….I have learned a lot in 30 years of applying science to the touching of trees.
      Thanks for getting my wheels turning…same discussion at expo this year!!

      1. Thank you Paul, I am glad to hear that the topic is still alive at Expo. I skipped Expo this year, but spoke on the same topic two years ago at Expo.

        There is a very stubborn adherence to antiquated concepts in pruning, like heading cuts for instance. You can see that if you take a look at the current draft of the A300 pruning standard. It May please the traditionalists who do not want to pay for revising their training materials, but itrepresents a step backwards in the evolution of pruning in North America.

  16. In August 2015 I heard “You’ll have to wait” for comments on the paper verifying that reduction pruning is sustainable and effective. Now In March 2016 we hear “You’ll have to wait” until August 2016, and travel to Texas, to receive this wisdom.

    Thanks but I’ll have to pass. If it takes this long to review one paper…Please be sure your search methods turn up Reiland and Follett.

    btw I’ve followed Lonsdale’s work for some time and this inoculation work that has you so angry and incensed is narrow and specialised, fitting few assignments and not at all indicative of his overall work. The selectivity of your searches is incredible!

  17. “I saw some very angry arborists at the ISA meeting who were incensed…”

    “Angry and incensed? Not sure where those adverbs came from. Certainly not from anything I’ve said or written.”

    Certainly so!

  18. Linda, the only justification for extra wounding is to encourage habitat for saproxylics, which I agree is not a common objective in US landscapes. Like many Brits, Ian says ” its used to encourage dormant apical buds, creating a new dense crown in veteran trees. There is information on it if you google Natural Fracture Pruning.”

    Once you get beyond the oxymoronism of “dormant apical buds” this theory has been tried and failed in the field. We made some of those ‘coronet cuts’ that are a popular fad in the land of crowned royalty in our research plot last summer, and we expect the stubs will die back but still achieve the overall goal of increasing habitat for saproxylics. We’ll post pics of the results in 2019.

    But please do not confuse the mycocentric practice of extra wounding for habitat with arborcentric ‘retrenchment pruning’. Search that term and Google lists my conference handout over any of the wounding publications. Which is nice to see. http://www.isa-arbor.com/events/conference/proceedings/2014/2014_Guy_MeilleurRetrenching.pdf

    The UK Standard says naught of extra wounding: “Retrenchment pruning is a phased form of crown reduction, which is intended to emulate the natural process whereby the crown of a declining tree retains its overall biomechanical integrity by becoming smaller through the progressive shedding of small branches and the development of the lower crown (retrenchment).

    This natural loss of branches of poor vitality improves the ratio between dynamic (biologically active) and static (inactive) mass, thus helping the tree as a whole to retain good physiological function… The pruning should be implemented by shortening heavy, long or weakened branches throughout the crown, while retaining as much leaf area as possible and encouraging the development of new secondary branches from epicormic shoots or from dormant or adventitious buds.”

    I’ll be presenting on Regenerative Pruning (I avoid that other R word due to the association that we both bemoan) at the UK conference this September. I’m somewhat relieved that firearms are rarely encountered there.

  19. I just came across this post, years after it went up. I appreciate the exchange it generated!

    I’m surprised the post hasn’t been edited in the interim. Conflating retrenchment pruning with coronet cuts is an obvious error. To compare the topping of a juvenile tree with retrenchment of a viable mature specimen is undisciplined. And while the article calls for scientific rigor, it tosses around subjective terminology like the “horrific” pictures of coronet cuts.

    Making peer review the sole arbiter of “right” practices reflects bias in its own right; a HUGE percentage of landmark, peer-reviewed studies can’t be replicated:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replication_crisis

    On the other hand so much of what we know in the applied fields was gleaned from simple observation. Farmers didn’t need peer review to determine that mounding soil around potato plants increases yields. Japanese healers didn’t need peer review to determine that spending time in the forest speeds recovery from illness. Science has since borne both of those observations out … if their studies can be believed.

    At the Botanic Garden where I worked there’s an Oak in the 100-year range with good vigor and a giant crack where multiple leaders come together. It’s hard to imagine this tree making it to 2 or 3 hundred years old with such an enormous canopy above such a significant defect. Cabling and through rods could help prevent a structural failure at the defect for a while, but could also increase the chance of a whole tree failure at some point. Given the tree’s strong internal growth and likelihood of failure, I consider it a good candidate for incremental retrenchment over the decades to come to reduce loading on the defect and promote new growth on other parts of the tree. I think the technique has its place … but I’m not a scientist 😉

    1. So what “landmark, peer-reviewed studies” can’t be replicated?
      If something can’t be replicated, by definition it’s not science-based evidence. It has little to do with peer-review and everything to do with appropriate methodology. Anecdotes are simply personal observations, often with correlation being conflated to causation. Proper experimental design can tease out causation.
      Retrenchment pruning isn’t based on woody plant physiology. It’s not based on anything but guesswork. If the proponents of the practice provided data on their failures, not just their successes, then we could actually do some sort of analysis. But it’s simply a biased collection of observations.

  20. Thank you Alex for noting the confusion generated when coronet cutting gets fastened to retrenchment pruning. Alex Laver included some intentional wounding in his talk at ISA on retrenchment pruning, which understandably set at least one person off. He could have been more clear that they are NOT always done together.

    Anyway there is a lot more than guesswork in locating cuts for crown reduction aka regenerative pruning. Specifying a cut size limit can avoid exposing a lot of/any heartwood. That is purely based on woody plant physiology!

    I had a failure in judgment show up; I took too much off 2 limbs of a 95% hollow post oak. They looked good for 5 years, then just croaked. If I knew of any other failures I’d report them. Anyway the rest of the tree looks good and even though Bartlett condemned it, again (based on pseudoscience, again), it will be retained.

    Feel free to email me the pics of your oak, or put them up here if Linda wants to see them and share an opinion.

    1. At the ISA convention in August, you can see this discussion continue, as Linda and myself will give talks on pruning along with Dr. G., et al on Tuesday afternoon.

        1. Duly noted, Dr. C-S! Also we can note I’m a BCMA, ETT, and a VTT graduate. But still learning…O and the talks are on Monday, not Tuesday.

  21. Much has been written and demonstrated regarding retrenchment pruning using small diameter pruning cuts. You may want to attend or read summaries of research at tree biomechanics week sometime . That you choose to verbally harangue experienced arborists makes me think that you’re pushing the edges of the ISA code of ethics. It would be much nicer if we could have a rational discussion rather than engaging in character assassination. To be clear I am not referring to the ragged cuts but rather small diameter pruning cuts at nodes or laterals.

    1. Until there is a scientifically accepted definition of “retrenchment” (as well as peer-reviewed, published data on the practice) I will continue to question the lack of science and resulting tree butchery that I and other tree physiologists see on a regular basis. No tree physiologist has questioned either my science or my motives. The only attacks come from those who practice a scientifically unsupported technique.

  22. Peer reviewed scientific data published 13 years ago: Specified reduction cuts used in retrenchment pruning did NOT result in excessive decay or sprouting from the cut surface. They DO result in a greater growth response from smaller, interior lateral branches, regenerating a smaller, safer crown.

    See ANSI A300 Part 1, B-5.1, Retrenchment (Regenerative) Pruning “…stimulate new shoots on interior and lower branches, and restore tree vitality and appearance.”

    1. Removing older branches and their stored reserves to promote young growth, which is markedly less resistant to pests and disease, does not strike me as being better for the tree. This is the trick – to look at senior tree physiology, of which there is a robust body of literature, and use it to predict what is going to happen if branches are removed. There is no research to suggest retrenchment pruning is better for overall tree health. If you are looking at what a client might desire (ie., a “smaller, safer crown”), that’s a different goal and could very well be the opposite of what is best for the tree. At this time, there is no science that supports this practice as being best for tree health, and I know of no woody plant physiologist who would say differently.

      1. Linda, 56 months ago I cited the Grabosky/Gilman research,for you. 56 months ago you said I’d have to wait for your response.
        Still waiting…

        Removing branches at the periphery with small cuts (under 4″ per European standards) does not remove many stored reserves; these are stored in larger limbs, the trunk, and the roots.

        If, as a result of specified light reduction pruning, a tree is less likely to break apart and die, that strikes me as being better for the tree. And, the Standard notes “restored tree vitality”. Isn’t that synonymous with health?

        1. I assume you are talking about “Growth partitioning three years following structural pruning of Quercus virginiana?” This is a study on 7-year old trees. It is not applicable, in any sense, to senior trees. You certainly wouldn’t equate pediatric with geriatric medicine, would you? If it’s another study please provide the title, as you did not mention it in your comment here or 56 months ago.

          We know a lot about senior tree physiology, including the quality of the existing tissues. They are quite different than that of younger tissues, including a higher level of protective compounds. Young tree responses to environmental factors are markedly different than those of older trees. This is the type of information that is relevant to making decisions – and creating ANSI standards – about pruning senior trees.

          Trees have been losing branches and survivng that loss long before the practice of arboriculture existed, or for that matter humans. As I said earlier, if one’s goal is to reduce risk around possible targets, that’s one thing and you do need to make informed decisions. But let’s not pretend we are doing retrenchment pruning on senior trees for the “health of the tree” when we have absolutely no research to support such a claim.

  23. The paper cited was Grabosky/Gilman 2007, http://hort.ufl.edu/woody/documents/articles/EFG0703.pdf
    It’s #1 on Google when I typed “Reduction Pruning”. Not sure what search method you are using.

    “RESULTS: …In the 3 years after pruning, growth of the remaining lateral
    branches increased as their initial branch diameter decreased
    in both species (equations 2 and 3; Table 2). In both species,
    relative growth rate in the 3 years after pruning was significantly
    influenced by aspect ratio (equations 4 and 5), where
    more subordinate branches showed more growth relative to
    initial size after pruning.”

    So the sprouting was *not* rampant as you suggest, but diffused to to smaller laterals, to form a smaller crown–the very definition of retrenchment pruning in standards around the world. These results are similar in subsequent studies.

    If you want to demythify something, let’s go after coronet cuts to improve sprouting and recovery. Our results show otherwise, so I’d be right there with you on that one!

    1. OK, wrong article – but still the same problem. The trees were planted in 1990, and the research began in 2002. Twelve-year old tress are not the same as senior trees. Their responses are completely different. It doesn’t help justify any practice related to managing ancient trees.

  24. Responses are not “completely” different, are they? After 54 years of climbing big old aka senior? trees, I can safely say that responses are highly similar. Unless you have a basis for “completely different”?

    When we make small 5-10 cm cuts during regenerative (retrenchment) pruning, we are cutting into tissue that is much less than 12 years old.

    This has nothing to do with the hacking with ~30+ cm cuts that you show people and call retrenchment pruning. Despite the clear and consistent definition in Britain, Germany, and since 2017 the US, that exclude such work.

    1. You need to read the literature on senior tree physiology to understand the differences. Just like older humans have different responses to environmental stresses than children, older trees react differently than younger trees.
      Here is an excerpt from my ISA presentation notes in 2016:
      3. Stems and foliage of older trees compared to younger trees.
      a) More nodes
      b) Shorter, thicker stems and smaller, thicker leaves than young
      c) Increased longevity
      d) Decreased photosynthesis
      e) Increased WUE
      f) Xeromorphic foliage (i.e. water stressed) character
      (1) Less mesophyll
      (2) Increase in astrosclerids – structural defense
      (3) Increased chemical defense – tannins
      (4) Increased antioxidants
      g) Will revert to primary foliage under stress (e.g. pruning)

      1. Also, the term “senior tree” cannot be found via Google scholar. I honestly do not know what that term means. When is the transition from mature to senior?

        I would like to see a list of studies that are more relevant to reduction pruning of mature trees than the Grabosky/Gilman 2007 study that is specific to reduction pruning of ~24″ dbh trees. Their results verified our goal of smaller, safer trees can be achieved by specified small cuts.

        I saw your list of broadly generalized characteristics in 2020 but did not find it robust or compelling. Older trees can definitely respond with juvenile growth–trees can be “simultaneously embryonic and senile” as Harvard’s Peter del Tredici observed.

          1. As stated, “senior tree” yielded no hits. Hence my curiosity about using that phrase.

            20″ dbh would be considered mature by many. Excluding the highly relevant Grabosky/Gilman 2007 study seems to miss the boat. GIGO.

            “mature tree pruning” yielded several studies on commercial plantations. The first reference to amenity trees yielded the Clark/Matheny lit review, which highlighted the Grabosky/Gilman work that you choose to ignore.

            The second was the Hamburg study, which concludes that “radical tree pruning, e.g. a drastic removal of crown parts or whole crowns, should not be a common practice. If possible, branches greater
            than 5 cm in diameter of weak compartmentalising trees, and than 10 cm of strong compartmentalising
            trees, should only be reduced partially rather than removed completely.”

            So the guidance from research indicates that reduction pruning with small cuts is effective management for mature trees. I appreciate your encouragement!

            1. So a quick search on Google Scholar for “ancient tree” and “physiology” yielded 772 hits, not counting citations and patents. “Mature tree” and “physiology” produced 7940 results. That should keep you busy.

              1. The discussion was about retrenchment/reduction pruning, not the much broader topic of physiology. If you won’t read papers on reduction pruning before going to war on reduction pruning, we’re done.

                1. As I have said, many, many, many times, there are NO peer-reviewed scientific articles on retrenchment pruning on ancient trees. None. That’s why we need to look at HOW ancient trees respond so we can predict the effect of retrenchment pruning. We know how young trees respond, and to assume that ancient trees are going to respond the same way is nonsensical.
                  But you’re right. We’re done with this discussion. If you will not do your due diligence and consider the physiological literature and how it could inform a practice that currently has NO published research behind it. I’m not going to waste my time trying to help you understand.

  25. It’s obvious that you two have been haggling over this issue for 5 or 6 years. Good research could have been close to fruition in that time span. A large body of data could be collected and examined. We may have more answers not more talk.

      1. “Reliable research is not cheap to conduct and no scientist is going to do it for free.”

        For that I sure hope there is *utility* of practices originating from outside that realm. 🙂

        1. Sure. It’s called applied plant and soil sciences. It’s been going on for centuries. It doesn’t matter where the idea comes from – there needs to be a logical hypothesis that could be tested. Logical means based in established sciences (like woody plant physiology). If the practice isn’t logically based in some scientific realm, no scientist is going to waste their time and effort to study it without financial support.

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