tree climber hanging by a ropeDuring autumn, leaves fall from the trees. Branches may come out of hiding from being covered in a canopy of foliage. This is a perfect time to inspect your trees. You may also need to take note of the branches that you should remove. That’s why it is important to know the basic tips and techniques of tree pruning and trimming. These will keep your trees in great shape.
Reasons why you should do pruning
Your trees will look neat and beautiful when you do pruning. It will also grow strong and healthy. When you prune, you remove the old, dead, and damaged branches, allowing growth for the new ones. This can add a certain shape to your trees. Although trees can grow naturally even without pruning, doing so can make a big difference in their maintenance. Through pruning, your trees can have their full potential to grow and can thrive for many years. This opens up the canopy so that the light and air will enter the entire trees. As a result, this will increase foliage while reducing the risk of acquiring a disease. This will also encourage fruiting and flowering. Can you just imagine how beautiful your trees look like when they are properly pruned and trimmed?
Pruning and trimming your trees the right way
- Think of the reasons why you should prune your trees.
Do you want your trees to be in good shape? Do you want it to have flowers and fruits? Or do you simply want to remove dead and damaged branches? All of these things matter when pruning your trees. You can do light pruning when you just want to remove dead and damaged trees. However, if you have a larger goal, you should plan your pruning around the season.
Like for example, if you will prune in winter, this may lead to an overgrowth of your trees during spring. While when you prune during summer, this will slow down the growth of the cut branches. That’s why you must know if you want to slow down the growth of your trees or you want to shape them.
- Never remove more than ¼ of a tree’s crown.
You must cut limbs ¼ inch above a bud that faces the outside of the plant so that this will be the direction of the new growth. You can use a hand tool when thinning or shaping your branches and limbs. Maintain your cuts in a 45-degree angle to prevent disease and water damaged.
- Remove damaged branches first.
Regardless of what causes the damage, damaged branches should be removed first. In this way, the nutrients and water that they are still absorbing will be redistributed to other healthy branches.
- Prune larger and higher branches with care.
You cannot just prune large branches easily. Make sure to cut outside the branch bark and ridge collar or the swollen area. Avoid leaving a protruding stub. For higher branches, you can use a pole pruner. But if it is a major big tree, this must be done by an arborist.
- Do not prune too much.
The trees’ protection system is affected when you prune too much. This will put the trees at risk of fungus and insect infestation. Prune only as much you needed. Do not forget that the trunk alone is not a guarantee that the trees will survive. It is stressful for the trees if you will remove all the branches. The recommended pruning is not more than once in each season unless there is a storm that breaks more branches.
Lastly, if you are not sure about pruning your trees, feel free to contact Attleboro Tree Service Pros for you to be guided. With the right information and techniques, you will have healthy trees in your backyard.