Head pruning is quite a radical way of shaping linden trees. However, it is common practice in show gardens in particular - and here it is not a problem due to the professional staff. Because the head cut needs to be skillful in order not to damage the tree.

The head cut is better left to professionals

What is a head cut?

The head cut is a very strong reducing method of crown cutting. With it, deciduous trees are intensively domesticated for aesthetic purposes and trained to maximum uniformity. That's why "decapitated" trees are mainly found in botanical and other display gardens, in which accurate espaliers are laid out. Along with plane trees or horse chestnuts, lindens are popular candidates for this forming practice as they generally tolerate it well.

With a head cut, the treetop is kept to a minimum perimeter throughout. To do this, all shoots are shortened every year to just above the bud bases. In these places, the tree keeps sprouting up again - and is cut there again the following year. As a result, these areas thicken and become the "heads" that give the method its name.

The head cut method again at a glance:

  • strongly shaping, minimizing crown cutting method
  • is preferably practiced in trellis walks in show gardens
  • Shoots are shortened over the buds in the same place each year
  • the resulting thickenings are referred to as "heads".

critical aspects

Of course, such a radical pruning method is inherently unnatural and should be carefully considered for the sake of the biological balance of the tree. After all, the root, trunk and crown of every tree should actually form a static balance. It is true that there is hardly enough space in a garden to allow a linden tree with a height of up to 30 m and a crown span of up to 15 m to develop undisturbed. An occasional, simple pruning of the crown is certainly sufficient in most cases and completely unproblematic for the lime tree.

Since the top cut is a massive intervention in the natural growth biology of the linden tree, no mistakes should be made. The most important rules are:

  • the head cut must be started with the young tree so that the tree gets used to it
  • do not cut branches thicker than 5 cm
  • the heads must never be injured in the subsequent cuts
  • In principle, well-sharpened and, if possible, disinfected cutting tools must be used

It is best to have a head trimmed by professionals.

Category:

Trees