What do you do when mesquite has 2 halves. An east half and west half. The main trunk is 2 to 3 feet high (then the 2 halves start and fan out). Im afraid the tree may split in half. The tree 15 to 20 feet tall.
@@TomJerry-yr5vv the issue you are referring to is “co-dominance”. If the union of the codominant limbs is a U union there is not muchconcern. However, if the union is a “V” union, the two limbs may start to push against one another as they become thicker in diameter. To lessen this likelihood, choose which limb you want to be dominant. Then, Make reduction cuts throughout the limb that should be subordinate so that you make it essentially “less than”. This will give the main dominant trunk, the opportunity to become “greater than”. Do this over 3 to 5 years rather than all at once. It’s a process. If there is already evidence of splitting at the union of your codominant trunks, then consider supplemental support with cabling and bracing.
Hey Romeo, I have a young desert willow that had some early damage resulting in a split into three trunks. I'm okay with that aesthetic long term, but should I try to force only one main trunk, pruning two of them back? Would that be healthier for the tree?
The risk of codominant trunks is that they start to become included by pushing up against one another. I did not mention in the video that this does not hold true if the union is a “U” union and not a “V”union. When the union is tight like the letter “V” then the codoms are likely to eventually push against one another. If this is the case with your desert willow then pick the leader and subordinate what should be the lower limbs. Don’t try to do this all in one season. The larger and more mature the tree then the longer the correction will take. Even if you are never completely successful with creating absolute dominance, the scaffolding system will be stronger having simply been pruned with that goal in mind.
Great explanation and example
@@josetliff4289 Glad to help!
Nice instruction
Thanks Angelo
You bet!
Love the before & after dissolve.
Hey. Thanks for noticing.
What do you do when mesquite has 2 halves. An east half and west half. The main trunk is 2 to 3 feet high (then the 2 halves start and fan out). Im afraid the tree may split in half. The tree 15 to 20 feet tall.
@@TomJerry-yr5vv the issue you are referring to is “co-dominance”. If the union of the codominant limbs is a U union there is not muchconcern. However, if the union is a “V” union, the two limbs may start to push against one another as they become thicker in diameter. To lessen this likelihood, choose which limb you want to be dominant. Then, Make reduction cuts throughout the limb that should be subordinate so that you make it essentially “less than”. This will give the main dominant trunk, the opportunity to become “greater than”. Do this over 3 to 5 years rather than all at once. It’s a process. If there is already evidence of splitting at the union of your codominant trunks, then consider supplemental support with cabling and bracing.
Hey Romeo, I have a young desert willow that had some early damage resulting in a split into three trunks. I'm okay with that aesthetic long term, but should I try to force only one main trunk, pruning two of them back? Would that be healthier for the tree?
The risk of codominant trunks is that they start to become included by pushing up against one another. I did not mention in the video that this does not hold true if the union is a “U” union and not a “V”union. When the union is tight like the letter “V” then the codoms are likely to eventually push against one another. If this is the case with your desert willow then pick the leader and subordinate what should be the lower limbs. Don’t try to do this all in one season. The larger and more mature the tree then the longer the correction will take. Even if you are never completely successful with creating absolute dominance, the scaffolding system will be stronger having simply been pruned with that goal in mind.