Quercus Rubra (Northern Red Oak) #1

[Orion_metalhead]

Looking at this photo though, maybe it's actually the right side that needs to go. hahaha. That little weird angular movement is kind of enticing to keep. Next year I plan on repotting, so I'd like to do any harder cuts this pruning cycle and then let it build strength for next year.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Thinking of cutting off the top left "branch". Theres a decent line to the top right with a new apical branch.

Keep it. Good basal movement. Tree would be bare without this one.

 

[Tieball]

Thinking of cutting off the top left "branch". Theres a decent line to the top right with a new apical branch.

Otherwise, need to pull back in the two lower branches. Birds have been at the older moss all spring but newer moss is growing anyway.

Thoughts?

View attachment 487101

I have wondered when would be the better time of the year to prune back branches on oak to hopefully force inner buds to develop. I was thinking the time would be right after the leaves fully develop, probably middle June.
Have you pruned branches for inner bud development?
Did it work out okay?
Any timing advice?

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Ive done most of my pruning on this tree in June in the past according to my notes (2020 & 2021) as well with no discernable negative effect, though i havent done many major cuts back at this time into older wood. I dont see issues with doing them in June, though... i see landscape oaks pruned all summer long without issue.

Some developmental stuff ive pruned already.

Still debating the cut. Will add photos for thoughts.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Big prune today. I had earlier pruned a smaller maple with success so I got at this one today.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Results of the prune. Did ok. Next year should be able to push it forward.



Has some good back budding on the low right branch:

 

[Orion_metalhead]

End of year. Not much beyond the above photo to report. Had some nice color for a while in the autumn. Next year fertilize heavily and summer prune around same time as this year. 2025 will repot.

Before clean up:


After cleanup