Pruning is a process to shape trees for multiple reasons. SEE Tipuana Seedlings via Link Below for photos of inducing lateral growth for shade. SEE Photo 5 below Cathedral Effect from Open Forest Tree Canopy + Photo 1 of Belah for commencing Raised Canopy Cathedral Effect.
You can cut trees off at root level (AKA “coppicing”) which is the method used with Willows to grow canes. Leucaena Clumps respond to coppicing as do many eucalyptus species.
You can cut trees off at 2 metres above ground level (AKA “pollarding”) to induce pole wood which is an ancient practice from England that fuelled the Industrial Revolution. Oaks were cut off to reshoot with pole wood + poles were then cut for charcoal production.
Shaping and making trees “ergonomic” for animal and human movements is based on a solid trunk with lateral branches from about 2 metres minimum above ground level. This is a natural process for most trees within a closed canopy forest. TO KEEP up to Date with more pruning/coppice/pollard info <> Go TO: Almanac of Trees and SUBSCRIBE to our Free Customer Almanac Service
PHOTO 1: Belah Tree Canopy being shaped with one of two potential trunks (similar to tree in photo below) removed. It is possible to shape a canopy high above the ground verses close to the ground. Tall canopies provide a surreal ambient atmosphere. Or you may want a tall hedge row of trees for maximum shade effect. Bunya Pine is 2.2 metres tall.
Imagine 100 Belah + 100 Bunya Pines per hectare with Tall Belah providing shade for a New Forest of Bunya Pine. (that is 1 Bunya every 10 metres on a grid). Without lateral branches this type of tall canopy forest is more resilient to grass fires.
PHOTO 2: Belah Tree same height as tree above. Second branch to left may be removed with 2 cuts. Cut trunk first at about 200 mm off from remaining trunk. A second final cut is then easier to complete as the total weight of final 200 mm long branch is much lighter and safer. USE a HAND SAW for Safety if you lack experience.
PHOTO 3: Tipuana Seedling now 3 years old is gradually gaining strength. Multiple new shoots have emerged with the strongest selected and encouraged. In the spring the dead wood above the strongest shoot is cut off. Now that roots are well established we can activate rapid growth with applied water. Tipuana can grow up to 2 metres in its first growing season.
PHOTO 4: English Oak was cut off in March – growth was limited – then in Spring a new shoot grew over 1 metre in a few months – pollarding Oak is useful to re-invigorate a young tree.
PHOTO 5: On neighbours land – Plantation of Chinchilla White Gums – 40 years old – 20 metres tall – lateral branches have been pruned many years ago. The atmosphere within this plantation is cool + shaded + calm + soothing due to filtered sunlight effect. Grasses have established here recently with a change in grazing management. On the other hand you can keep grasses in check with grazing if desired. OPTION: Once you have a biological construct similar to this you could start a food crop garden provided you had water and nutrients.
