One Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) #3. This is the larger of two Monterey pines (69” DBH) in the backyard. It splits into three forks about 54” above grade. It is closer to the house than #4
Objective:
Prune to reduce the risk of branch failure in this over-mature pine by reducing five overextend 6-8” diameter branches by about 1/3 to create a more compact canopy while taking care to preserve enough living canopy to support the tree. Also remove dead branches and a crossing branch.
Looking northeast at Monterey pine #4. Reduce longest scaffold branch by half back to a significant lateral.
Procedures:
- Remove dead or broken branches over 1” diameter throughout canopy.
- In the top 1/3 of canopy, reduce 8” branch growing south from the north fork. Reduce by about 1/3 back to a lateral branch 2” diameter or greater.
- In the middle 1/3 of canopy, reduce 8 diameter branch growing southeast by about 1/3 cutting back to a lateral branch at least 2” in diameter. Reduce 6” diameter branch growing west and two 4” diameter branches growing south.
Looking up at southward growing 8” branch in the mid-canopy of Monterey pine #3. This is typical of the reduction cuts.
- In the bottom 1/3 of the canopy remove one of two crossing branches about 3” diameter. Reduce 3-4” branches by about 1/3 reducing them to a lateral branch at least 1/3 the diameter of the branch being removed.
- Tree workers shall observe for signs of pest and disease and report that to the owner.
- Pruning cuts shall be in accordance with ANSI A300 pruning standard, and work shall be performed in accordance with the ANSI Z133.1 safety standard. Pruning shall be in accordance with ISA’s Best Management Practices: Tree Pruning.
