%0 Research article
%T Influence of saw and secateur pruning on stem discolouration, wound cicatrisation and diameter growth of Betula pendula
%A Schatz, Ursula
%A Heräjärvi, Henrik
%A Kannisto, Kari
%A Rantatalo, Matti
%D 2008
%J Silva Fennica
%V 42
%N 2
%R doi:10.14214/sf.258
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/258
%X The aim of this case study was to compare the impacts of saw and  secateur pruning on silver birch (Betula pendula Roth). Data were  collected from two saw pruned stands in 2005, and one secateur pruned  stand in 2003. All the stands were located in southern Finland. The  sample stems were felled, and their butt logs were sawn into flitches,  whose knot features and colour defects were measured. In addition, discs  were sawn from each stem in order to study the annual ring widths. In  this material, pruning with secateurs appeared to cause less colour  defects than pruning with a saw. Irrespective of the pruning method  used, the colour defects in the stem wood were at their largest in cases  where the basal knob or the stem bark appeared to be damaged by  pruning. Colour defects spread mainly towards the pith, only in a few  cases towards the stem surface. The cicatrisation time of the knots as  well as the length of the bark stick remaining inside the stem did not  show significant differences between the two pruning methods. Pruning of  the lowest living branches appears to have no effect on the diameter  growth of silver birch trees.