Pruning for squirrels

Poor Magnolia

As soon as I saw it, I knew something was up. The Magnolia tree was pointing to the left, not up the way trees are supposed to look normally. I could see the previous cuts that were made on it; and many branches were encroaching on a nearby rhododendron.

Then the old gentleman came out, clearly excited to see me standing there with pole pruners and ISA logo on my sleeve. And the way he was talking, you would think squirrels were taking over the complex.

Pruning for squirrels

This is what happens in strata landscape maintenance: the owners pay their monthly fees and we do what they want. So, I have to prune for squirrels. The beauty of a Magnolia tree comes second. Barely.

I couldn’t believe I had to prune a Magnolia tree so squirrels wouldn’t be able to jump on the roof and cause trouble. In step one I had to remove the branches closest to the house and still make the tree look like a tree.

Step two was more subtle. I had to balance everything by removing many of the lower left branches. The owner wasn’t really worried about lost buds. Squirrels come first.

If you’re pruning in February take a good look at your target. Magnolia trees have buds all set and ready to pop in late spring or early summer. So, removing them now obviously loses flowers.

The same applies to rhododendrons. Forsythias will turn all yellow in spring so pruning them now is a bad idea.

I’m also seeing people rush to prune native ferns before they even push out new fronds. Hold out until you see new fronds push out. Otherwise you’ll be looking at a brown stub.

Conclusion

You can expect to get some strange pruning requests every year. Do your best to educate your clients. In this blog I had to prune a Magnolia tree to prevent squirrels from reaching the roof.

Since the tree had already been hacked before, I didn’t object. Removing several branches on the left side gave the tree a more balanced look.

Still, I walked away shaking my head. Pruning for squirrels!?