My walnut tree has many limbs without leaves or new growth this summer due to dieback. Should I prune out these dead limbs or will they spring to life next year?
If the branches don't have leaves on them by now then it's a safe bet they aren't going to get any and the sooner you prune them out, the better for the long-term health of the tree.
While you're at it, inspect your walnut for any diseased or broken branches and prune those out as well. If you're really ambitious, you can also prune out any crossing branches and/or branches that are pointed back towards the centre of the tree.
As long as you remove no more the one-third of the living wood from a tree in a single growing season, the tree should respond well.
If you have any questions or comments, please send them to me at vanessa@gardenmuse.ca.
Originally published in the Creston Valley Advance in July 2009.
