During the winter season it is vital to inspect your multi-stem tree for potential problematic areas of growth that could cause damage or "rubs" to your tree; those damaging points where branches grow too closely together and chafe against each other in the wind. Left unchecked, these friction points can lead to open wounds, inviting disease and weakening the tree’s overall structure.
By carefully selecting and removing problematic branches during the dormant season, you can shape a healthier framework, reducing the risk of long-term damage and encouraging strong, balanced growth.
In this guide, we’ll explain how thoughtful winter pruning helps protect your trees, prevents unnecessary stress, and ensures they thrive for years to come.
The Problem With Angry Rubs
Angry rubs occur when two or more branches grow too closely together and continuously scrape against each other, especially in windy conditions. Over time, this friction wears away the bark, exposing the vulnerable inner layers of the tree. Since the bark acts as a protective barrier against pests, diseases, and environmental stress, any breach can significantly weaken the tree’s natural defences.
Why Are Angry Rubs a Serious Issue?
1. Open Wounds & Infection Risk
When branches rub together, the constant abrasion damages the outer bark, creating open wounds. These wounds provide an entry point for fungal infections, bacteria, and pests that can cause rot, disease, or even structural failure in the tree.
2. Weakening of Structural Integrity
A tree relies on its branches for support and stability. If two branches are locked in a constant battle, they weaken each other. Over time, one or both may break under stress, either from wind, heavy snow, or simply the weight of the tree itself. A weakened branch structure makes the tree more vulnerable to extreme weather events.
3. Restricted Growth & Misshapen Trees
When branches are crowded and rubbing, they compete for space, light, and nutrients. This can lead to uneven growth patterns, weak attachment points, and an overall unhealthy tree. Poorly spaced branches can also reduce airflow through the canopy, creating a damp, stagnant environment that encourages fungal growth.
How Winter Pruning Prevents Angry Rubs
Pruning during winter, while the tree is dormant, allows you to identify problem areas more easily. Without leaves in the way, you can clearly see where branches are crossing or rubbing. Removing these problematic branches at this stage prevents future damage, encourages healthy new growth in spring, and improves the overall structure of the tree.
By taking the time to carefully prune your trees in the winter, you’re ensuring their long-term health, resilience, and beauty—preventing angry rubs before they have a chance to cause lasting harm.
It's important when removing big crossing branches with 'angry rubs', to make sure the correct one is removed. This involves studying the canopy in detail and looking at which of the two will have the least impact on the canopy once removed. Often it helps to walk around the tree to inspect it from different angles before doing the cut.
To prevent tearing and to promote cleaner healing, Philip prefers to leave a small stump when removing a branch, as sometimes they can tear when being removed, leaving what can often be a large scar for the tree to heal.
Watch this video from Philip, our founder, as he demonstrates the best way to prune to prevent these problems:
The Healing
Once the branch has been removed and carefully untangled from the canopy, the remaining stump should be cut back flush to the main trunk, creating a clean wound that the tree can efficiently heal over. To support this natural healing process, we take a small amount of soil from the base of the tree and gently rub it onto the exposed cut—drawing on the belief that the microorganisms living beneath the tree can aid in recovery.
The choice of tool depends on the size of the branch being removed. For smaller branches, a pair of sharp secateurs is usually sufficient, while thicker limbs may require a small hand saw for a precise, controlled cut.
Over time, the tree will heal, strengthening its structure and becoming healthier for years to come.
About New Wood Trees
We are an artisan tree nursery specialising in field grown multi-stem trees and shrubs. We grow approximately 13,000 trees in the beautiful rolling fields of South Devon and have over 100 varieties for you to choose from.
All our trees are grown in here for at least five years, during which time they are lovingly hand pruned to create a beautifully sculpted distinctive shape and structure. They are all hugely individual and full of character due to their environment and our care. We warmly encourage you to visit our nursery in person.
To immerse yourself and experience the trees in a way that you simply can’t from websites and photographs. You’ll be able to choose your preferred trees, understand their individual character, and tag them in person. Leaving with peace of mind that you will receive exactly what is needed to suit your design. Visits are by appointment only. Please contact us to arrange your nursery tour.
More Information
Learn More about how we grow our artisan, sculpted, multi-stem trees.
or Contact Us to discuss your specific needs.