Back in November 2023, I caught up with Thomas Paine, CTSP, co-owner of Rooted Arbor Care in Warrenton, Missouri, on a job site in Missouri. He was tasked with inspecting a picturesque, healthy pin oak (Quercus palustrus) tree and performing a cleaning and pruning of it. It was a beautiful fall day just prior to the start of TCI EXPO ’23 in St. Louis, so we both were fairly hyped. Paine skillfully transformed the tree, which might otherwise have grown unruly, into a neatly groomed pin oak. I was the intrigued observer mentally taking notes on every precision cut. Here’s a summary of the procedure. You also can check out the video for a 3:58-minute show-and-tell by clicking here.

The assignment was to remove some of the hazardous deadwood on a 28-inch-diameter pin oak (Quercus palustrus) tree in the front yard of a residence. We were here to particularly target branches that were 2 inches in diameter and larger. We also wanted to raise the lower branches over some burning-bush shrubs (Euonymus alatus) to improve the sightline from the street to the house, and vice versa. 

Midwest pin oaks are dense, often with what seems like a chip-truck full of crisscrossing branches in the canopy. Our goal was to clear the larger dead sections and address potential future failures caused by these crossing branches.

The tree appeared healthy, with minimal insect presence, indicating it hadn’t been overly affected by the Texas horned gall wasp. The Texas horned-gall insect is notorious for its invasive nature, often causing significant damage to trees by inducing abnormal growths, or galls, which can weaken branches and compromise overall tree health.

“On pin oaks, I cut out channels of deadwood in the canopy as I climb to create open areas in the foliage,” says Paine. “This allows me to toss down dead branches without damaging the remaining tissues (bark and branches). I advance up the tree, cutting pizza- or pie-wedge shapes (the full round of the canopy being the pie) until I get to the desired height. Then I move to another quadrant or slice of the tree, and gradually prune on the way back down.

“Working through sections of the tree helps eliminate potential hazards and is pretty efficient. It can be quite the learning process for apprentice climbers. But I’ve found this approach has proven useful to me over the years.”

It’s essential to weigh potential damage to live growth when reaching for dead branches, warns Paine. “Limb walking, while tempting, can sometimes harm the tree. Sometimes I get questions about reaching the tips of branches for deadwood. I always weigh whether I might damage more live growth on my way out to get that dead branch. The less damage we do while trimming, the better it is for the tree’s health in the long term.

“A lot of arborists like to go way out on these limb walks and end up damaging a lot of interior growth in the process – just to get a little dead limb,” Paine reiterates. “Branch breaks, even small ones, can lead to open wounds, making the tree susceptible to infestations, such as from horned gall wasp, and other issues.” Arborists have to weigh the benefits before proceeding, he says.

“As I climb, I try to maintain as much green foliage on the inside of the tree as possible,” Paine explains. “Some people might feel this could lead to the clustered inner deadwood that is so common on these trees, but pin oaks have historically been over-pruned, and inner growth is vital for summer photosynthesis.”

You really need to have blade awareness when you’re cutting in these thick trees, warns Paine.

“Knowing it’s crucial to be aware of your handsaw blade at all times to avoid damaging ropes or lanyards,” he says. “It’s very easy to get into a kind of rhythm when pruning, and, due to the cluster of interior branches, it can be easy to lose track of your climbing rope. It’s not uncommon for people to nick their ropes or even cut through their lanyards without even really thinking about it, because they’re so focused on their next cut.”

These trees tend to retain dead branches longer than others. Every two years or so, cleaning out dead material is advisable. Especially since dead hangers get caught up in the branches and could fall unexpectedly, explains Paine. “It’s amazing what a little bit of trimming and cleaning out some of this dead interior growth will do cosmetically for the tree.

“Pin oaks, when cared for properly, are striking,” says Paine. “Regular maintenance is key for their longevity and aesthetic appeal. Climbing them demands patience, skill and a careful choice of cutting techniques.”

New techniques and knowledge are continually emerging in the field of arboriculture. Staying updated with the latest methods ensures these magnificent trees thrive for generations to come.

Tchukki Andersen, BCMA, CTSP, is staff arborist for the Tree Care Industry Association.

To view a video of this technique, click here, or go to tcimag.tcia.org and, under the Resources tab, click videos. For February Digital Edition click here.