The central leader position is based off the natural growth of the tree, focusing on a main leader branch that keeps the canopy of the tree open to light and air circulation. The central leader helps supply nutrients to the large, fruit bearing branches so the tree grows as many walnuts as possible.
This way, your tree can direct all its nutrients to this topmost branch.
If your tree has more than 1 thick branch, then it will be harder for the other branches to grow and develop walnuts. If you keep branches that are on the thicker side, they can unevenly drain the nutrients from the tree and grow too thick.
Both options will help your tree better conserve nutrients. If you already have many adequate branches, you may want to simply remove the branch completely. If you have a few sparse branches, trim off the smaller of the forked sides.
This way, your tree only grows outward-facing, healthy branches. This keeps the tree invigorated, so it can put more energy into fewer branches.
These branches take away from the overall look and shape of the tree, and since they are not very strong, they likely will not grow walnuts.
This keeps your tree healthy as it continues to grow and produce walnuts. You can use your garden shears, as these branches shouldn’t be very thick.
If you’d like, you can remove the smaller of the forked branches and keep the larger section. Do this if the branch is towards the top middle of the tree and if it looks attractive.
Garden shears are small, handheld tools used to cut off branches or stems. Before you start, disinfect your tools with a diluted bleach solution or rubbing alcohol. This will help prevent the spread of disease.
If you use gardening shears on thick branches, you can injure yourself or the tree. It will also damage your gardening shears. When using the saw, keep the blade away from your body to prevent injuries. Be careful with falling branches. Before you make cuts, plan how they will fall, making sure they won’t damage structures, vehicles, or outdoor items. Additionally, people should be at a safe distance to avoid injury.
Wear safety goggles, hold the chainsaw away from your body, and handle the chainsaw with care to keep yourself protected. Ask a spotter to help you cut the branch. Before you start cutting, plan an escape route in case things go wrong. You need to be able to escape the falling branch. If you are not experienced with a chainsaw, hiring a professional may be a safer option.
Do this if you are comfortable with heights and experienced with using similar tools and equipment. If you are not familiar with heavy machinery or landscaping equipment, it may be safer to hire a professional arborist.
This is a great idea if you aren’t very familiar with pruning walnut trees or are afraid of heights. While it is not hard to prune walnut trees, it can be difficult to access the top of the tree. For best results, consider hiring a professional after your branches reach 3 in (7. 6 cm) or more in diameter.
