Here’s a couple of blackwood pruning questions from David in South Gippsland, Victoria.
Example 1
How would you tackle this one?
That’s an easy one David!
Read the Blackwood Growers Handbook Pages 55-60.
You have at least 2 clear options on this tree – the dominant on the left or the dominant on the right.
Blackwoods have an amazing ability to straighten up if you encourage them with good pruning.
Be brave!
PS. I should mention that Spring is the time to prune blackwoods. This gives the trees a whole growing season to begin healing the pruning wounds.
Example 2:
I think a deer might have got at this one
Looks like it!
The tree is fundamentally compromised from a quality wood production point of view.
I think with this one I would prune it to ground level and let the blackwood coppice. Then after a year select the best coppice shoot.
Try and get some venison sausages!!
Cheers.
