How to prune chinese chestnut

Late winter to early spring while dormant (avoid autumn, when wounds are slow to close). In the first 5 years, select 4–6 scaffold branches spaced around the trunk and remove competing or narrow-angled limbs. Raise the canopy gradually by removing the lowest branches in successive years. On mature trees, thin crossing branches with cuts outside the branch collar.

Annually for first 5 years; then every 3–5 years as needed. Chinese Chestnut is a spreading, multi-limbed tree that benefits from early structural pruning to raise the canopy and establish well-spaced scaffold branches. Mature trees need only removal of dead, diseased, or crossing wood. It is relatively tolerant of pruning but heals slowly — minimise large cuts on established trees.

In the first 5 years, select 4–6 scaffold branches spaced around the trunk and remove competing or narrow-angled limbs. Raise the canopy gradually by removing the lowest branches in successive years. On mature trees, thin crossing branches with cuts outside the branch collar.