Why do we prune?

The main reason for pruning is to produce clearwood.
Branches are cut off from the first 5.0-6.0 metres of a tree’s stem, usually in two lifts. This allows knot-free timber to form around the defect (knotty) core. This knot-free timber is known as clearwood and continues to form as the tree stem grows over the branch stubs. Clearwood timber is free of knots and therefore usually stronger. It has higher-quality uses such as veneer, timber mouldings, and furniture, so is more valuable.
Pruning also provides a significant benefit in maintaining year-round work for the silvicultural workforce and in improving stand access and reducing the risk of crown fires.
Wenita is currently pruning about 600 hectares per year and all our silviculture contractors have expanded their pruning capacity to do the work.