decay organisms which may
weaken a tree or cause decay. Al-
ways prune with sharp tools so
smooth surfaces remain, and then
cover cut surfaces with a protec-
tive wound dressing. Several
wound dressings are available, but
asphaltum paint containing a fun-
gicide is recommended. The as-
phalt and fungicide combination
seals wounds and prevents en-
trance of decay organisms until
the wound is permanently covered
with callus tissue.
 Most pruning cuts can be painted
as soon as made or as soon as
wounds are dry. Asphalt will not
adhere to wounds wet with exu-
date. Keep an unbroken film of
dressing over pruning wounds. In-
spect wounds periodically and ap-
ply additional dressing if coating
is cracked or peeling.
 Best time for pruning varies
with species. Generally trees in ac-
tive growth should not be pruned.
Prune deciduous trees late in their
dormant season, preferably just
prior to resumption of active
growth since callus tissue forms
very slowly in some dormant de-
ciduous species. Evergreens may
be pruned anytime when not ac-
tively growing. Ornamental trees
usually are not pruned as severely
as shrubs, so ordinarily pruning
has little effect on flowering and
fruiting.
 Remove or prune-
 Dead, dying or unsightly
 branches and limbs.
 Sprouts and suckers grow-
 ing at or near the trunk
 base.
 Interior branches to keep
 an open center and allow air
 circulation.


* Crossed branches if they rub
 together, since decay caus-
 ing fungi can enter through
 scarred areas of the bark.
* Crowns to encourage a na-
 tural shape. Pruning to a
 branch bud toward the out-
 side of a tree's crown tends
 to induce growth that
 broadens the crown; prun-
 ing to an inside branch or
 bud tends to result in a
 narrower more dense top.
 However, amount of light a
 tree receives, light direction
 and nature of the tree will
 also affect direction of new
 growth. Small branches and
 twigs are commonly pruned
 just above an outside bud or
 at a fork; however, they
 may be clipped or sheared
 without regard for position
 of dormant buds since new
 growth normally develops
 on small branches and twigs
 a short distance below prun-
 ing cuts.
* Narrow V crotches should
 be eliminated when possible
 since they split easily. To
 avoid leaving a stub when
 removing one member of a
 V crotch, make the final cut
 to a point where both mem-
 bers join solidly. On large
 limbs or trunks, this point
 of solid juncture usually is
 lower than it appears to be.
* If several multiple leaders
 develop on a tree that nor-
 mally has a single stem, re-
 move all but the strongest
 leader. This procedure re-
 stores dominance to the re-
 maining stem and allows
 normal development.