Grow and Graze

 WHEN AND HOW TO PRUNE YOUR TREES AND SHRUBS

Episode Overview:

In this debut episode, host Doug Clement (NC Cooperative Extension - Cherokee County) is joined by co-host Randy Collins (NC Cooperative Extension - Graham County) to tackle one of the most common landscaping questions: "When and how should I prune my trees?" 

Together, they break down the biological science of tree healing (CODIT), critical timing windows for local species, disease prevention warnings like Oak Wilt, and proper branch-cutting mechanics.

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KEY TIMESTAMPS & TOPICS:

[00:00] - Introduction with Doug Clement and Randy Collins

[00:40] - What Happens When You Cut a Tree? Understanding CODIT (Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees)

[01:45] - Why Late Winter (Feb - March) is the "Golden Window" for Pruning Deciduous Trees

[02:10] - Three Main Benefits of Winter Pruning: Structural Visibility, Disease Prevention, and Spring Flush

[03:10] - Critical Exception: Preventing Oak Wilt and Dutch Elm Disease

[04:20] - Sap Bleeders: Pruning Maples, Birches, and Elms

[04:40] - Danger Zones: When NOT to Pruning Trees (Late Summer & Spring Leaf-Out)

[05:15] - Spring vs. Summer Bloomers: The "Before June / After June" Rule

[06:30] - Evergreens & Pines: Special Care and Candle Shearing

[07:15] - The "3 Ds" Exception: Dead, Diseased, and Damaged Wood

[07:45] - The One-Third Rule for Pruning Live Canopy

[08:20] - The 3-Cut Method for Heavy Limbs (Preventing Bark Tears)

[09:25] - Major Mistakes to Avoid: Tree Topping, Wound Dressings/Tar, and Unsanitized Tools

[10:15] - 60-Second Pruning Summary & Checklist

[11:15] - How to Reach Your Local County Extension Office

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EPISODE TAKEAWAYS & CHECKLIST:

1. General Shade Trees:

 - Best Time: Late winter (February to March) while trees are dormant.

2. Oak Trees (Oak Wilt Warning):

 - Best Time: strictly during coldest winter months (December through February).

 - Avoid pruning Oaks between March and October to prevent sap-feeding beetles from spreading lethal Oak Wilt fungus.

 - Emergency Summer Cuts: Paint immediately with wound paint or latex house paint to seal in sap odors.

3. Flowering Trees & Shrubs:

 - Spring Bloomers (Blooms before June on old wood, e.g., Dogwood, Redbud, Forsythia, Azaleas): Prune immediately AFTER flowering in spring.

 - Summer Bloomers (Blooms after June on new wood, e.g., Crape Myrtle, Panicle Hydrangea): Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth starts.

4. Pines & Evergreens:

 - Shear 1/2 to 2/3 of new spring growth ("candles") when 2-3 inches long to increase density. Never cut back into older bare wood.

5. Cutting Mechanics & Rules:

 - The 1/3 Rule: Never remove more than 30% of a tree's live canopy in a single season (20-25% for mature trees; 10% for old specimens).

 - The 3-Cut Method: Use on limbs larger than 1.5 inches to protect bark (Cut 1: Undercut, Cut 2: Top cut further out, Cut 3: Final collar cut).

 - Never top trees, avoid tar wound dressings, and sanitize pruning tools with alcohol between trees.

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CONNECT WITH YOUR LOCAL EXTENSION OFFICE:

If you have specific plant questions or need diagnostic help in Western North Carolina, reach out to your local Extension Office:

- NC Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County in Murphy, NC (Doug Clement)

cherokee.ces.ncsu.edu

- NC Cooperative Extension, Graham County in Robbinsville, NC (Randy Collins): Robbinsville, NC

graham.ces.ncsu.edu

Garden Basics.  To learn more visit cherokee.ces.ncsu.edu.

For Cherokee County residents with questions about gardening, farming, and other information visit go.ncsu.edu/agentassist. 

Visit go.ncsu.edu/growandgraze for links and transcripts.
Join us in chat on Telegram.

Links:

NC Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County Center

NC State Extension

Cherokee County Government

Farm Credit Service (Sponsor)

Visit go.ncsu.edu/growandgraze for links and transcripts.
Join us in chat on Telegram.

Links:

NC Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County Center

NC State Extension

Cherokee County Government

Farm Credit Service (Sponsor)

Appalachian Beekeepers Association (Cherokee County, NC)

Visit go.ncsu.edu/growandgraze for links and transcripts.
Join us in chat on Telegram.

Links:

NC Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County Center

NC State Extension

Cherokee County Government

Farm Credit Service (Sponsor)

Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles

Visit go.ncsu.edu/growandgraze for links and transcripts.
Join us in chat on Telegram.

Links:

NC Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County Center

NC State Extension

Cherokee County Government

Farm Credit Service (Sponsor)

Flowering Bulbs

Visit go.ncsu.edu/growandgraze for links and transcripts.
Join us in chat on Telegram.
Links:

NC Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County Center

NC State Extension

Cherokee County Government

Farm Credit Service (Sponsor)

Carpenter Bees

Visit go.ncsu.edu/growandgraze for links and transcripts.
Join us in chat on Telegram.

Activities that NC Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County Center, will be providing at the fair.

Links:

NC Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County Center

NC State Extension

Cherokee County Government

Farm Credit Service (Sponsor)

Cherokee County Fair

Visit go.ncsu.edu/growandgraze for links and transcripts.
Join us in chat on Telegram.

Links:

NC Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County Center

NC State Extension

Cherokee County Government

Farm Credit Service (Sponsor)

Scorpions

Visit go.ncsu.edu/growandgraze for links and transcripts.
Join us in chat on Telegram.

Master Gardeners in Cherokee County will teach a series of fall classes.    Register today through Eventbrite.

N.C. Cooperative Extension and Master Gardeners℠ in Cherokee County are working together to provide a series of fall classes in September and October. The classes are $10.00. Classes will be each Monday and Wednesday beginning at 6:30 p.m. Classes you can sign up for include (click on the class you would like to attend):

September 19-North Carolina Tree Identification

September 21-Native Plants and Nativars

September 26-Firewise/Firescape

September 28-Seed Saving

October 3-No Class

October 5-Vermicomposting

October 10-Composting

October 12-Growing Herbs

October 17-Butterfly Gardens

October 19-Soil Sample Now for a Successful Garden in 2023

Registration will be available June 1 for all classes through Eventbrite. All the classes can also be viewed via Eventbrite.

Links:

NC Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County Center

NC State Extension

Cherokee County Government

Farm Credit Service (Sponsor)