Tree Trimming Basics

Tree Trimming is a regular landscape maintenance service that is designed to enhance the aesthetic appearance of your property. In addition, it helps control overgrowth and reduces the risk of damage to your home or power lines caused by growing branches.

Pruning is a complex task, and every cut has implications for the health and longevity of your trees. A heavy prune might have no effect on a healthy, well-adapted mature tree, but the same cut may damage or kill a young, weak or damaged plant. Therefore, a thorough knowledge of pruning techniques is essential for making effective and safe cuts.

The most common reasons for pruning include improving structure and safety, controlling size, opening vistas, removing diseased or dying branches, and repairing storm damage. Other objectives can include reducing soil erosion, removing invasive plants, and providing clearance for buildings and traffic.

Good pruning includes removing crossing or rubbing branches, low-growing or unattractive branches, dead branches, stubs left from previous cuts, and suckers and water sprouts. It also consists of thinning the crown to promote air circulation and sunlight penetration while maintaining an attractive shape. It is recommended that no more than one-fourth of a living crown be removed in any one year, and it is preferable to make multiple small cuts rather than a few large ones.

While most of the above pruning techniques are performed by trained professionals, some can be done safely on your own with the proper equipment and knowledge. You can use a pair of hand shears for small branches and stubs, while loppers are needed for thicker ones. Loppers resemble hand shears but have longer handles and blades capable of cutting through branches up to 3 inches in diameter. If you decide to do this on your own, always wear gloves and ensure that the loppers you buy are labeled for the branch size they will cut through.

In the case of diseased or dying branches, the first step is to remove the affected limbs by making a clean cut halfway through the stub at the point where it is attached to the rest of the branch. This will stop the spread of the disease by preventing the formation of a new infection site. After pruning, be sure to inspect the entire tree for signs of disease and to remove any remaining stubs.

Other less common ornamental styles of pruning include topiary, espalier and bonsai, which can be very effective in enhancing the beauty of your property but require patient long-term maintenance. They are best used on species that can tolerate these potentially stressful practices. Be careful not to prune your plants too severely, as this can increase their susceptibility to injury and decline. Finally, be sure to prune after the main growth season is over to slow new shoot growth and avoid creating wounds during the period of time when decay fungi are sporulating in autumn. For additional tips, please visit our article about How to Prune a Tree.

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