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Natural Branch Occlusion


      Natural Branch Occlusion (NBO) is the natural process by which a tree sheds and occludes a branch. This process (with a Des Moines Arborist assist) is the latest, most advanced and scientific branch removal technique.


       The benefits of Natural Branch Occlusion are enhanced vitality, structure and response.


       Olson Tree Care in Des Moines, Iowa has identified that there are some species and environmental limitations to Natural Branch Occlusion but a conclusion most likely could not be sufficiently born out due to a host of variables.


Natural Branch Occlusion


What is the Perfect Cut when Removing a Branch?


1. Make a cut outside of Branch Protection Zone leaving sufficient biomass. (See what is sufficient below)

2. Wait.

3. Wait

4. Wait

5. Wait

6. Wait

7. Wait

8. Now make a traditional cut after Translocation of Resources has occurred.


Sufficient amount of Biomass is 1 foot per 1 inch of diameter.


Sufficient time for translocation is 1 year per 1 inch of diameter.

 (Variance to accommodate wood density)


There are species and environmental limitations such as cottonwoods and swamps.


Natural Branch Occlusion is being taught by Olson Tree Care Des Moines as an option for clients and Arboriculturists alike.


Occluding Branches
Adventitious Sprouts

Malpractice

       If only 10% of the care you received from your doctor was beneficial, would you go?


       Malpractice (Negligent treatment) is far too common with Tree Services in Des Moines, Iowa


        Working 2 days on some urban native bur oaks above (Quercus macrocarpa), allowed the ISA Certified Arborist at Olson Tree Care sufficient time to revisit an observational number that has proven true over time. Less than 10% of all tree pruning administered is good for trees. (This is one of the reasons they removed Tree Thinning as an approved practice from the ANSI standards.)


       Take this bur oak above for example, gutted (Thinned/Pruned) for perception and misinformation.


Perception = aesthetics dictates care.


Misinformation #1 

       - Crossing branches are bad for the tree. While they may be bad if fusion over an included bark location, this would be the only case. Dampening is the #1 defender of tree failure and this happens by close contact of branches and leaves. Then follow that up with ongoing “shoot maintenance” based on further misinformation. See our page on Tree Dampening.


Misinformation #2 

       - Epicormic Sprouts steal from the outer end of the branch. See our page on  Essential Stems to understand the benefits of Epicormic Sprouts. (Termed incorrectly as suckers, water sprouts, stress shoots or shoots)


       If trees are cut on (for no valid reason) to the detriment of the tree, is that not Malpractice?


arborist-malpractice
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