FORM-PRUNING EUCALYPTS

If you are growing eucalypts for posts, poles and sawlogs, your trees need to have a single straight stem. NZDFI's breeding programme has produced genetically improved planting material with good form. Planting durable eucalypts at recommended (relatively close) spacings also encourages trees to grow tall and straight, and discourages side branching. 

However, eucalypts may form double leaders and occasional large branches, and form-pruning removes these defects. It is best done early in the life of trees which need it. Timely form pruning is quick and easy, and ensures trees develop a single straight stem. We recommend checking young plantings for forks etc and if necessary, selecting crop trees for form pruning. Keep an eye on your plantations and be aware some trees (particularly edge trees) may also eventually need clearwood pruning, where all branches are removed up to a target height.

Six top form pruning tips

• Reduce double-leader trees to one leader by removing the smaller or more crooked leader, or the one on the leeward side.

• Better to leave a 15mm branch stub than damage the branch collar or main stem.

• Remove or shorten any large branches (ramicorns), so the tree is well-balanced.

• Remove steep-angled branches (stem/branch angle less than 30 degrees).

• Multi-leadered or damaged trees can be cut right back almost to ground level as long as enough foliage is left for them to survive and produce a new leader.

• Try not to remove more than 40% of the total foliage; leave trees enough ‘green engine’ to grow.