Things Needed
Tip
Balsams are rather carefree , and pruning and shearing are suggested practice for decorative or vacation tree diagram . The arm apprehension will close around a properly - made cut and protect the vulnerable edge — no injury dressing is need . Wound fertilisation attracts insects and seals in moisture , encouraging molds . Do dormant season pruning in late December and use the branches for vacation decorations or garden mulching . sterilise pruning tools with a 10 pct solution of blanching agent or 70 percent result of scratch alcohol with urine between US to stop the scatter of molds and viruses . Use scratch alcohol , water - based pigment brush cleanser or bath oil - based skin cleaner to remove balsam sap .
Warning
Do not write out into the branch collar . affluent clipping kills the barque and keeps it from healing . withdraw " witch ’s Calluna vulgaris , " a perpendicular increment triggered by " broom rust , " a fungus that is also carried by chickweed . Prune the white-livered - green increase from branches where it rise and eradicate any chickweed from surrounding country to stop the extension of the spores that cause it . Always wear gloves and oculus protection when trim .
The balsam fir ( Abies balsamea ) is the original yuletide Tannenbaum , grown in the cool , moist woods of alpine Germany . Today it is grow in tree farm all over the world , include the northern tier up of the United States and Canada . Training and pruning practice for the balsam varies with the purpose it will answer . Although its main exercise is as bleak textile for paper , it is still a pet yuletide decoration , along with its southern cousin , the Fraser fir and assorted pines .
Step 1
set about " abstract " balsam tips at two to three years of years to boost separate . balsam have an " open use " of growth , meaning that they ’ll produce improbable and lean with branches widely space on the trunk or " leader . " Identify the leader and twitch lateral leg as they set out growth bud in the spring to encourage branching and denser increment .
Step 2
Remove branch that meet the loss leader in extreme " Y"-shaped stick during the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s dormant season in later winter . These branches may compete with the leader or they may gravel a weakness in the tree , making it vulnerable to nothingness or storm damage . idle or humbled branches should be off whenever they seem . To take away branches , cut just outside the ramification " collar , " a thick fold of bark through the " crotch " around and under the junction .
Step 3
ternary - cut conifer branches . Start sawing up from underneath the arm about six column inch out from the apprehension , then cut down all the way through the limb about midway between the up cut and the articulation . This will leave a " stub " which can be saw off with a down slash on the margin of the collar . Triple cut draw sap out from the area where the final cut will hap , making a clean cut easier . Remove only Y - joint branches and branch that cross or rub against others . Balsams should ask pruning only to tame their sprawl growth habits into ornamental tree shape .
Step 4
Shear trees that are ornamental or are destined for use as a holiday tree . Begin when they are a few old age old with a yoke of pruning shears . Use a hedge trimmer when they get older . Cut growing bakshis of branch beginning in May or June to stop current growth . Shape into a conelike pyramidal - form . Shearing will also help " bush - up " branch . Be indisputable to shear evenly , taking 10 to 12 inches off terminal branch end each season . The mature tree diagram will be forgetful but wide than a natural - shape tree .
Step 5
Remove lower branches during the hibernating season to raise the crest of trees grow for top . Maintain two - third base of the tree ’s crown and murder only one level of branches at a prison term using a triple cutting . This improve melodic phrase circulation and encourages vertical growth .
