A coworker gave me 5 oak samplings grown from acorns, 3 years ago. I have 4 left. Hopefully someone can give me a little advice. I was wondering when and if I should pick a leader on both of these and cut off the other? They are about 24" to 30" tall and you can see the thickness of the trunk compared to my finger. I figured they are getting close to being where I can trim them. I figured later this fall after the growing season would be a good time. Any advice?
That's a fine time to do it , that's when I do a great deal of pruning around the office , with the leaves off I can see what I want to remove and how to shape the tree .
I have a "volunteer" Oak in the driveway turnaround that was about 3' tall until something chomped it down to nothing. It's now growing again and doing well, but not as tall with the drought. The ones in the woods seem to grow quite well w/o my assistance, and there are tons of 'em out there. That looks like a healthy stem by your finger. I think I might consider taking off that side shoot on the left. Don't take it off right at the main stem though, leave a little nub.
Thanks guys. On the top tree I was thinking I'd prune the right one and on the bottom tree I'd prune the left one. Since this is out in the back yard there is little competition so I thought I should pick one leader it can focus it's energy on.
From what I've read on the trimming topic I guess the current trend is early spring trimming because the wound healing cells are fastest growing just after leafing out. Leave the branch collar on the tree and don't dress the cut. Trim before a branch is 1 inch in diameter. And if trimming anything over 18" in diameter please deliver to my back yard.
