When Should I Have My Trees Trimmed?

Tree Trimming is the selective removal of branches to maintain plant health, improve structure, promote beauty, and increase value to a property. It is primarily focused on the outer crown of a plant, but can also include pruning interior growth and eliminating obstructions such as power lines and obstructing views. It can help prevent safety hazards and property damage caused by dead or damaged limbs. It can also increase the amount of sunlight that reaches lower areas of the landscape.

When should I have my trees trimmed?

Regular and consistent trimming is vital to the health of a plant. A healthy tree is more resistant to insects and diseases, less likely to break or fall, and will be more visually appealing than a neglected one. Trimming is typically done during the winter when plants are dormant, and can reduce the risks associated with overgrowth by removing diseased or insect-infested branches.

It is important to have the correct tools for the job, and make the proper cuts. Using the wrong tool or cutting the tree in an un-natural manner can cause irreparable damage, and potentially a hazardous situation. It is recommended that you use a professional arborist for the most effective and safest results.

Ideally, pruning should be done at the right time, to ensure that the wounds heal correctly. The best time to prune is during the dormant season, after winter, and before spring. This will minimize the chance of insect or disease infection, and allow for the most rapid healing.

A proper pruning technique will involve two types of cuts: heading and thinning. Heading cuts remove an entire shoot or branch, while thinning removes some of the foliage on a lateral branch. This will open up the lateral branches to the sun and allow for airflow, reduce wind resistance, and help control the shape of a tree.

Some examples of common pruning issues are crossing or rubbing branches, water sprouts from limbs, obstructing views, encroaching structures, limbs that rub against vehicles or buildings, thorns below eye level, sucker growth from rootstock, and crowded crowns. It is important to remove only what is necessary, as over-pruning can be as detrimental as not pruning at all.

A well-practiced method of pruning is called crown reduction. This is conducted on mature and older trees, and reduces the overall density of a crown to help with light penetration, air circulation, structural integrity, and reduce stress from wind, snow, gravity, ice, and general growth. Never remove more than a quarter of a living crown at one time. Removing more will result in a tree that is weakened and susceptible to failure, especially in a storm. It is also important to maintain good lateral branch spacing throughout the crown, and keep the ratio of living crown to total height at two-thirds. It is also a good idea to raise the canopy of older trees to provide clearance for pedestrians, cars, and buildings.

from TLC Trees and Co https://ift.tt/Kstq6yE