Pruning trials in high-quality wood arboriculture plantations

Abstract. Many arboriculture plantations have been developed in the last decades, thanks to the financial support of the European Union. The main aim is to produce high-quality wood. To investigate type and extent of mechanical injur, that pruning causes to tree bark, different types of shears, lopping shears and stick tree pruner were selected and used on Quercus robur, Juglans regia, and Prunus avium branches of increasing diameter. The amount of removed, detached and crushed bark was determined by means of an image analysis method. In addition, the effect of different cutting pattern of tools on healing process was investigated by the area of each cutting sections covered by callus and woundwood after fifteen month. The results showed significant differences in the action of the different pruning tools, depending on cutting edge angle, cutting patterns and branch diameter. The double-blade tools caused lower injury, helping healing process. Finally, working times were collected in arboriculture plantations of different ages, species, and planting design, and productivity of pruning was calculated. The results showed that both experience and number of branches to cut significantly affect working time and productivity.