[College of ACES] [University of Illinois] [Illinois CES]

Re: Re: Re: Post-construction maintenance

quercus@texas.net
Fri, 6 Dec 1996 09:16:17 -0600

Hi George,
Thanks for the response. :-) Im afraid Im gonna have to come right out here and say...that I am directly opposed to your theory on pruning stressed trees. I would appreciate if you could show me ANY creditiable research to show me that pruning for root compensation has ANY benefits. All of the research I have seen, and everything I know about the physiology of trees would say that the practice of pruning for root damage compensation is incorrect. I believe that such practices may actually handicap a trees recovery even. Transpiration is not an open faucet, it is highly regulated. Also a tree is
very dependent on the energy manufactured by foliage in order to stabalize its stress.

I say this, admitedly, after having practiced it for several years before realizing this. I believe it is a desire to do something physical to help..when no other treatment seems apparent. We tree professionals don't like to be told theres not much that can be done. :-)

Where we CAN do something, and have an affect is well before the "planned damage" occurs. I agree with you. I wish we could wake the public up quicker to what is happening to their valuable trees. I believe they are awakening...but not fast enough for most of us.

Please let me know if you (or anyone else) can furnish me with any research to contradict my contradiction. :-) I am steadfast in my beliefs, but I do maintain an open mind. That's a VERY valuable tool in this business..

And BTW..just for the record, I am also against most applications of fertilization immdeadtly before and imeadiatly after constructiondamage has occured. :-)
Feel free to open fire on any of this.. :-)

Dennis Brown, Consulting Arborist
Urban Forestry Resources
Austin, TX
(512) 263-2798
quercus@texas.net