Elm Pruning - Ask Extension
I am planning winter pruning of an Accolade Elm from a nursery that was planted two seasons ago. There appears to be a main branch and a secondary bra...
Knowledgebase
Elm Pruning #920487
Asked October 23, 2025, 10:49 AM EDT
I am planning winter pruning of an Accolade Elm from a nursery that was planted two seasons ago. There appears to be a main branch and a secondary branch that eventually will be competing. The area where the branches join are somewhat wonky due to an old nursery prune. The joint area is about 5 feet high. I assume that it would be good to prune the secondary branch to help establish a main leader and that the wonky area will eventually strengthen as the tree matures. I also plan on minor pruning of a few small branches in poor locations. Attached are photos of the tree and the competing branches.
Any thoughts or guidance on this plan would be appreciated.
Anoka County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hi Brad -- Based on your description and the situation with your Accolade Elm, your pruning plan sounds appropriate and aligns with best practices for young tree training.
You're correct that you should establish a single central leader now rather than waiting. As trees develop competing stems, they become more problematic to address as they grow in diameter. When selecting which stem to keep, choose the strongest and most vertical one as your central leader, then remove the competing stem. This is a critical step that will minimize the potential for codominant stem development as your tree matures.
The "wonky" junction you're seeing at the graft/pruning point should indeed strengthen over time as the tree grows and the trunk increases in diameter, provided you establish a single leader now.
Winter pruning is ideal. Follow this sequence when pruning:
Since your Accolade Elm is still young, this early training is exactly what it needs. Many elms require considerably more pruning and training than other landscape trees, and the first 15 years often determine how they will perform for the remainder of their lives. The small investment in maintenance during these early years will have a huge payoff as your tree matures.
Your plan to establish the central leader, where small limbs are pruned and the main trunk is allowed to grow tall and remove a few poorly positioned branches sounds reasonable and well-timed for your young tree's development. A strong central leader ensures a straight stem and keeps your tree growing up rather than out.
You're correct that you should establish a single central leader now rather than waiting. As trees develop competing stems, they become more problematic to address as they grow in diameter. When selecting which stem to keep, choose the strongest and most vertical one as your central leader, then remove the competing stem. This is a critical step that will minimize the potential for codominant stem development as your tree matures.
The "wonky" junction you're seeing at the graft/pruning point should indeed strengthen over time as the tree grows and the trunk increases in diameter, provided you establish a single leader now.
Winter pruning is ideal. Follow this sequence when pruning:
- First, remove any broken, diseased, damaged, or dying branches
- Second, select and establish your central leader by removing the competing stem
- Third, address those poorly located small branches you mentioned
Since your Accolade Elm is still young, this early training is exactly what it needs. Many elms require considerably more pruning and training than other landscape trees, and the first 15 years often determine how they will perform for the remainder of their lives. The small investment in maintenance during these early years will have a huge payoff as your tree matures.
Your plan to establish the central leader, where small limbs are pruned and the main trunk is allowed to grow tall and remove a few poorly positioned branches sounds reasonable and well-timed for your young tree's development. A strong central leader ensures a straight stem and keeps your tree growing up rather than out.
