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Should I prune burned branches of living trees?

Last Updated: October 15, 2009

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Pruning will not help the survival or growth of a living tree, but it could be done for other reasons. Pruning can help reduce future fire hazard, although the pruned branches could be a fire hazard in themselves unless removed or burned. Pruning can greatly improve the appearance of burned, living trees. If no internal damage to the tree is present, such as a burned side of a tree through the bark, pruning could be done immediately after a fire. However, to be sure the tree has had time to adjust to its new conditions, waiting to prune until late winter after the fire season could be a safer option.

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