How to Prune Wych elm?

(Ulmus glabra)

Wych elm, also known as Scotch elm, Table-top Scotch elm

A deciduous tree characterized by its broad leaves and resistance to harsh conditions, wych elm benefits from pruning to maintain shape and health. Proper pruning involves removing dead or diseased wood, thinning out dense branches to improve light penetration, and reducing height to manage growth. The optimal pruning period is late winter to early spring, before bud break. Careful pruning helps prevent disease and may invigorate new growth, enhancing wych elm's vigor and longevity.

What Are the Benefits of Pruning Wych Elm?

Pruning wych elm encourages vigorous growth by removing dead or diseased limbs, thus enabling more efficient nutrient use. Regular shaping maintains the wych elm's structural integrity, enhancing its aesthetic form and preventing potential hazards.

What Is the Best Time for Pruning Wych Elm?

Spring

Winter

Late winter and early spring are the best times for pruning wych elm because this is when the tree is still dormant, minimizing sap loss which can attract pests. Pruning before the spring growth surge enables the tree to heal quickly and put energy into new growth. Avoiding the active growth periods ensures that the tree can recover effectively without diverting resources from leaf and root development. Additionally, visibility of the tree's structure is better during this time without the leaves, allowing for more precise cuts and health assessment.

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What Tools Do I Need to Prune Wych Elm?

Hand Pruners

Ideal for cutting small branches and twigs of wych elm, hand pruners allow for precise, clean cuts without damaging the plant structure.

Loppers

Given wych elm's thick branches, loppers are effective for branches that are too thick for hand pruners but do not require a saw.

Pruning Saw

For the largest branches of wych elm, a pruning saw is necessary to handle the thickness and ensure clean cuts for healthy regrowth.

Pole Pruner

To safely reach and prune higher limbs of wych elm without using a ladder, pole pruners are suitable, combining a saw and lopper mechanism on an extendable pole.

Hedge Shears

Wych elm can benefit from hedge shears when shaping hedges or creating a formal appearance, as they allow for trimming of multiple small branches simultaneously.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Safety glasses and gloves are essential to protect the gardener from potential injury while pruning wych elm.

How to Prune Wych Elm

Identify And Remove

Inspect wych elm and remove all dead wood. Use clean, sharp tools to make precise cuts just above a lateral branch or bud facing the outside of the tree. This helps to maintain a healthy growth pattern.

Disinfect Tools

Between cuts, especially when removing diseased wood, disinfect pruning tools with a 10% bleach solution or alcohol to prevent the spread of disease to healthy parts of wych elm.

Cut Diseased Wood

Identify and prune out all diseased wood from wych elm, making the cut into healthy tissue well below the diseased area to ensure complete removal of potentially infected material.

Remove Broken Branches

Carefully remove any broken branches from wych elm, cutting as close to the trunk as possible without damaging the collar (the swollen area where branch meets trunk), to promote proper healing.

Inspect Cuts

After pruning wych elm, inspect all cuts to ensure they are clean and smooth, as ragged cuts may impede healing and attract pests or diseases. Apply a tree wound dressing if recommended for the particular disease or pest concern.

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Common Pruning Mistakes with Wych Elm

Over-Pruning

Removing too much foliage can stress wych elm, hindering its ability to photosynthesize efficiently and regain strength.

Improper Cut Locations

Cutting too far from or too close to the bud can either prevent healing or result in dieback and disease entry.

Tearing Bark

When pruning larger branches without proper technique, the bark may tear, causing unnecessary damage and potential entry points for disease.

Not Sanitizing Tools

Failing to clean pruning tools between cuts can spread diseases from infected parts of wych elm to healthy areas.

Pruning Blindly

Cutting without a clear purpose or plan can lead to an unbalanced shape and may remove important growth points, detracting from wych elm's natural form.

Common Pruning Tips for Wych Elm

Clean Cuts

Make clean, angled cuts just above a bud or branch to ensure proper healing and direct new growth outward from the center of wych elm.

Selective Thinning

Thin out overcrowded branches to increase light penetration and air circulation, which can reduce the risk of fungal diseases in wych elm.

Three-Cut Technique

When removing larger limbs, use the three-cut technique to prevent bark tearing: a notch cut on the underside, an outward cut further along, and a final cut near the branch collar.

Sterilize Equipment

Regularly sterilize pruning tools using a 10% bleach solution or a disinfectant to prevent the spread of diseases.

Use Sharp Tools

Utilize sharp pruning shears, saws, or loppers to make precise cuts without crushing the tissues of wych elm, which can facilitate healing.

Shape Management

Focus on maintaining the natural vase-shape of wych elm for optimal health and aesthetics. This involves cutting back branches that interfere with the shape, allowing the central leader to dominate.