Life Lessons Learned from Pruning Trees
One of my hobbies is planting and taking care of trees. I love to take a small tree, find the right place for it, plant it and nurture it so it becomes a significant part of the landscape. A piece of the nurturing process involves pruning – which is the process of cutting away dead or overgrown branches to shape and increase the tree’s fruitfulness and growth.
Pruning trees is critically necessary for them to grow into well-shaped and healthy organisms, even though it involves cutting and even removing limbs that look healthy. Since I have been taking care of trees for a long time (about 40 years), I have observed and reflected on some common lessons that parallel our own lives.
Cutting what is already dead doesn’t hurt and can keep other parts from dying. There are no benefits to keeping dead wood around. Get rid of it! (Doing so makes the tree look better and ensures all resources go towards growth.)
Focus on the most obvious task to accomplish and do that first. Don’t get distracted by all of the little tasks that could be done. You might waste the time and energy needed to finish the most important job. Additionally, once you complete the main task, other priorities become clearer.
Understand the innate nature and structure of the tree and how it grows. Trees, like all organisms, have unique characteristics which help them flourish in certain environments and conditions (and which make them poor choices for other environments).
Pay attention to the needs of the tree. What type of soil and nutrients does it need? Should it be in full or partial sun, or shade? How much watering does it need? What types of plants does it grow well with (or not)? Providing the basic needs of the tree makes a huge difference whether the tree will grow and flourish, or struggle and diminish.
Eliminate the crossover growth – remove the limbs that may be healthy but growing in the wrong direction. Crossovers sap energy from the parts where you want to encourage growth. And eventually they will get in the way and interfere with the main growth you desire.
If there are two parallel limbs close to one another, choose the one you want to keep and prune the other. Resources (water, nutrients, sunlight) are finite and limited. Don’t waste them on unnecessary duplication. Also, crowding often limits growth. Clear out space for the healthier part to grow without interference.
If there are two limbs rubbing against one another, take one out. Chafing will damage the tree, creating an open, raw wound. This creates an environment for disease or insects to enter and attack the tree.
Prune a tree in the proper season and location of the limb. Consider when, where and how to prune the specific tree.Don’t just saw in the middle of a limb (locate a growth bud or intersection). Doing so will encourage energy to go to new growth. Educate yourself and learn about the individual trees you are growing. Get to know each tree’s tendencies, what kinds of bugs and diseases they are susceptible to, and what they like. By doing so, you’ll magnify the chances of raising a beautiful, healthy tree over time!
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Categories Optimism, Perseverance, Relationships
