Well the uniqueness of the insights may be overstated. So what? The conclusions from formal research are also often overstated, but it can still hold value.
Here's an abstract to a paper submitted last year. Similar, related material, some different terms used for the same phenomena and structures. No one's developed an adequately detailed retrenchment pruning program for universal applicability yet imo. Nov 15 at TCI Expo you can see one guy's best shot, but it's at 8 a.m., and after a hard night of 'networking' that may be a little rough...
Preserving the Grandeur
Preserving older oaks can involve support and lightning systems, soil work, and pest treatments, but pruning is primary. Tree owners and arborists alike often react to tree problems by recommending removal and replacement, preferring “death with dignity” to the uncertain task of restoring tree health, stability, and value. Experts in Germany, Australia, France, the UK and the US are using similar pruning methods and seeing similar tree responses. The art and science of restoration pruning can restore health, safety, and dignity. By following the way trees shed, then respond, arborists can preserve their grandeur, to the benefit of all.
Keywords: Bud protection zone, node, retrenchment, reiteration, rejuvenation, restoration
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Further Reading:
Fay, Neville. P. Environmental Arboriculture, Tree Ecology and Veteran Tree Management.
http://www.treeworks.co.uk/downloads/3%20-%20ENVIRONMENTAL%20ARBORICULTURE%20TREE%20ECOLOGY.pdf
Del Tredici, Peter. Aging and Rejuvenation in Trees, Arnoldia 1999-2000 Winter
http://arnoldia.arboretum.harvard.edu/pdf/articles/1999-59-4-aging-and-rejuvenation-in-trees.pdf
Gilman, Edward F. et al. Assessing Damage and Restoring Trees after a Hurricane, ENH 1036.University of Florida.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep291
Goodfellow, John. Final Report: Development of Risk Assessment Criteria for Branch Failures within the Crowns of Trees. 2009
http://www.ecosync.com/tdworld/Branch%20Failure%20Investigation.pdf
Meilleur, G.P. Detective Dendro and the Devious Dieback, Retrenchment and pruning, Arborist News, June 2012
Meilleur, G.P. Mike O’Ryza and Partial Pollarding for Parrots, Australia/UK Arbor Age, Feb/Mar 2012
Meilleur, G.P. Mike O’Ryza and the Vexing View, Australia/UK Arbor Age, Dec/Jan 2012
Meilleur, G.P. Restoration Pruning, Arborist News, June 2010
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/f1a4dcaa#/f1a4dcaa/1
Meilleur, G.P. The Power of Positive Pole Pruning, Arborist News, June 2008
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/e14cd2f8#/e14cd2f8/1
Meilleur, G.P. Assessing, Repairing and Preventing Lightning Damage, Bark tracing, Tree Care Industry, June 2007. Page 8 here:
http://www.tcia.org/PDFs/TCI_Mag_June_07.pdf
Meilleur, G.P. Basic Tree Risk Assessment and CEU test, Arborist News, October 2006
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/c56ea66e#/c56ea66e/1
Meilleur, G.P. Tree Risk Mitigation, Tree Care Industry, October 2005
Page 56 here:
http://www.tcia.org/PDFs/TCI_Mag_Oct_05.pdf
Meilleur, G.P. Selective Heading Cuts after Storm Damage. Arborist News, August 2004
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/9c7f82fc#/9c7f82fc/1
Pfisterer, J. 1999. Geholzschnitt nach den Gesetzen der Natur (Tree pruning according to the laws of nature). Stuttgart, Germany: Verlag Eugen Ulmer.
Read, Helen. Veteran trees: A guide to good management Peterborough : English Nature, 2000.
Shigo, Alex. A New Tree Biology. Shigo & Trees Assoc., 1991.