Veon Arboriculture recently undertook a Tree Assessment Survey in Co. Kildare. This oak tree (Quercus robur) has begun the process of retrenchment, this is when a tree has reached a tipping point in its energy-reserves to energy-requirements ratio, so it begins to reduce its crown size (this is seen in the stag-head formation of dead wood in oak trees) and it produces a smaller, less energy demanding crown, this can be seen with the new lower branches in the image.
This process can be aided by retrenchment pruning, where sections of the crown are cyclically pruned, with the aim of opening the crown up to light so that dormant buds can create a new crown whilst also reducing the crown size.
Veon Arboriculture is an independent Arboricultural consultancy and provides professional tree assessments, surveys and hedgerow management services to a broad range of clients.
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