![]() ![]() Shearing is used to increase tree density and maintain the proper shape until harvest. If the tree is not full enough, shearing of the lateral branches may increase the density of the tree. Some growers, by using a combination of basal pruning and tip pruning, are able to achieve excellent results. ![]() Usually, as much as one-half of the live branches can be removed by basal pruning without killing the tree. Depending on the extent of basal pruning, the tree tries to replace the lost foliage by increasing the density of the remaining branches. Basal pruning, in addition to controlling excessive leader growth, will establish a good base or bottom whorl from which to develop a balanced tree and a clear handle or butt. Basal Pruningīasal pruning is accomplished by cutting of all branches from the ground up to a full, complete whorl of branches. This prevents one or more of the top whorl branches from taking over as a leader and forming a crooked or multiple top. The lateral branches of the top whorl should be cut back so they are two-thirds the height of the pruned leader. The top whorl of branches should be folded up alongside the leader to determine how much to shear. ![]() This will help prevent the formation of a multiple top. All buds below the top bud next to the cut should be removed from the leader down to about 3 inches from the top whorl. It should be about 1 inch above a good bud. In terminal leader pruning, the leader is cut back to the desired length, usually 8 to 12 inches. Terminal Leader PruningĮxcessive leader growth which detracts from the desired symmetry of the tree can be remedied through pruning of the terminal leader or basal pruning. Proper and Timely shearing or clipping of branches stimulates new buds to form, puts additional growth on the remaining desirable branches and, in general, controls the foliage and shape so that a more dense tree results. A well-shaped, dense tree has a fairly uniform spacing of 8 to 10 inches between whorls.Īlthough there are many schools of thought on how to shear or shape a Christmas tree, the basics of shaping are relatively the same. ![]() An 8-foot tree should have a base width of about 5 feet. The base of the live crown of the tree should be about two-thirds as wide as the height of the tree. Pruning and shearing produce the symmetrical, high-density, cone-shaped characteristics of a quality Christmas tree. ![]()
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