How to Prune Velvet ash?

(Fraxinus velutina)

Velvet ash, also known as Desert Ash, Fresno Ash, Smooth ash, Arizon ash

A deciduous tree valued for its lush foliage and adaptability, velvet ash thrives with proper pruning. Key techniques include thinning out crowded branches, removing dead or diseased wood, and shaping for structure. Pruning should occur in late winter or early spring to encourage healthy new growth. For velvet ash, pruning ensures adequate sunlight penetration and air circulation, critical for robust health. Avoid heavy cutting to preserve the tree's natural form and resilience.

What Are the Benefits of Pruning Velvet Ash?

Pruning velvet ash encourages vigorous new growth and maintains its desired form. Strategic cutting back promotes a robust structure, which can enhance the tree's longevity and aesthetic appeal.

What Is the Best Time for Pruning Velvet Ash?

Spring

Winter

During late winter and early spring, velvet ash is in its dormant phase, before the onset of new growth. Pruning at this time reduces stress on the plant, as the cuts have time to heal before the growth season. Additionally, the absence of leaves allows for better visibility of the plant's structure, enabling more strategic pruning. Avoiding the active growth and warmer periods minimizes the risk of disease infection and insect infestation at the cut sites. This timing also prevents the removal of flower buds, ensuring that the flowering potential of velvet ash is not compromised.

Identify plants and enhance your pruning skills

Want your plants to thrive? Check out expert tips on pruning timing, techniques, and care to confidently tackle any gardening challenge!

Download the App for Free

What Tools Do I Need to Prune Velvet Ash?

Hand Pruners

For young or thin branches of velvet ash, typically less than 0.5 inches in diameter, hand pruners provide clean cuts that promote healthy growth.

Loppers

When dealing with branches between 0.5 and 2 inches thick, loppers give you the leverage to prune velvet ash without causing damage to the branch or plant.

Pruning Saw

For mature branches over 2 inches in diameter, a pruning saw is essential. The saw should be sharp and fit comfortably in the hand for efficient cutting.

Pole Pruner

For higher branches of velvet ash that are out of reach, a pole pruner allows safe pruning from the ground without the need for a ladder.

How to Prune Velvet Ash

Step1: Inspect Plant for Damaged Growth

Inspect velvet ash for any signs of dead wood, diseased limbs, and weak branches. These parts are usually discolored, lack leaves, or have visible signs of infection or rot.

Step2: Prepare Clean Pruning Equipment

Gather the proper pruning tools such as bypass shears for thin branches, loppers for medium-sized branches, and a pruning saw for thicker limbs. Ensure the tools are cleaned and disinfected to prevent disease spread.

Step3: Cut Dead Wood at a 45-Degree Angle

Begin pruning velvet ash by removing dead wood. Make clean cuts at a 45-degree angle just above a healthy bud or branch. Ensure the cutting locations are not too close to the bud to avoid damaging it.

Step4: Remove Diseased Limbs Completely

Identify and excise diseased limbs on velvet ash. Cut well beyond the affected area into the healthy wood to ensure the disease is completely removed. Immediately dispose of the diseased material to prevent contagion.

Step5: Prune Weak Branches at Origin

Prune away weak branches on velvet ash that have narrow angles of attachment as these are more prone to breaking. Cut back to the point of origin or to a strong lateral branch.

Step6: Assess Plant Structure for Shaping

After removing the dead, diseased, and weak branches, step back and assess velvet ash for shaping. Aim for a balanced structure, keeping the tree's natural form in mind.

Step7: Thin Dense Canopy for Health

Thin out velvet ash's canopy if it's too dense. This involves selectively removing branches to increase light penetration and air circulation, which reduces the risk of diseases.

Step8: Ensure Smooth Cuts for Healing

Make all final cuts on velvet ash smooth and clean to promote quick healing. Avoid leaving stubs or jagged edges as they can be entry points for pests and diseases.

Step9: Disinfect Tools Post-Pruning

Clean all tools used to prune velvet ash to prevent the spread of disease to other plants. Disinfect tools with a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.

Step10: Provide Post-Pruning Plant Care

After pruning velvet ash, provide care by watering and mulching appropriately to support recovery and vigorous growth.

Discover your plant's ideal water intake

Use our calculator to find out how much water your plants need for optimal health.

Download the App for Free

Post-Pruning Care for Velvet Ash

Immediately after pruning velvet ash, ensure clean cuts to promote rapid healing, and apply a water-based sealant if necessary. Adjust watering to keep soil moist, not waterlogged. Place velvet ash in moderate light, avoiding direct sun; maintain ambient temperatures and moderate humidity. Apply a balanced fertilizer to aid recovery, decreasing nitrogen levels to minimize stress. Regularly inspect for wilting or discolored leaves, indicating stress or infection. If symptoms persist, consult an arborist to address potential diseases. Proper care supports velvet ash's health and vigor post-pruning.

Common Pruning Mistakes with Velvet Ash

Avoid cutting near trunk to protect collar and healing

Cutting too close to the main trunk, which can damage the collar (the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk) and hinder velvet ash's natural healing process.

Don’t remove excessive foliage at once to prevent stress

Removing too much foliage at one time, which can stress velvet ash and reduce its vigor and ability to photosynthesize effectively.

Make clean cuts, not jagged, to reduce injury and pests

Making jagged or torn cuts, which can lead to unnecessary injury to velvet ash and invite pests and diseases.

Sterilize tools before pruning to avoid spreading diseases

Pruning without first sterilizing the tools, which can spread diseases from infected plants to healthy ones, including velvet ash.

Cut branches without leaving stubs to deter decay and pests

Leaving stubs when cutting branches, which can result in decay and provide entry points for pests and diseases.

Common Pruning Tips for Velvet Ash

Use sharp tools for angled cuts to prevent disease

Use clean, sharp tools to make clean cuts at a 45-degree angle away from the bud, to encourage water runoff and prevent disease in velvet ash.

Remove dead or damaged branches to improve health and shape

Identify and remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches first, which will help maintain velvet ash's overall health and aesthetic shape.

Cut outside branch collar for quick healing and decay prevention

Cut just outside the branch collar, not flush with the trunk, to promote faster healing and reduce the risk of decay in velvet ash.

Thin interior branches for better air flow and light access

Practice thinning to remove interior branches and allow better air circulation and light penetration, which will bolster velvet ash's health and growth.

Maintain natural shape and avoid over-pruning

Retain the natural shape of velvet ash by following its branch patterns and avoiding over-pruning - the goal is to enhance, not alter.