Trimming or pruning your trees is a great way to keep them healthy and prevent them from growing out of control on your property, but the cutting has to be done properly. Trees are living things after all, and you can permanently damage or even kill them if you trim their branches haphazardly or take too much off at once. Here are some tree trimming tips to keep in mind if you want the trees on your property to look their best and stay healthy.
1. Stick to the One-Third Rule
When you trim a tree, never remove more than one-third of its canopy during any season. If you want to reshape a tree as it grows, aim for gradual trimming over several seasons. Removing too much of a tree’s canopy at once will hinder its ability to photosynthesize and put too much stress on it.
2. Know When to Trim Your Trees
Trimming trees at the wrong time is a very common mistake. Every tree species has an ideal time when it can be pruned, so do some research to know when it’s safest to prune your particular species of tree. Trimming them at the wrong time could leave them vulnerable to disease and pests. If your trees are flowering, wait until shortly after they’ve bloomed to trim them to avoid removing next season’s buds.
3. Avoid Topping Trees
“Topping” trees refers to cutting the main branches back to their bases. This can leave trees vulnerable to disease and cause branches to grow back improperly. Instead of topping your trees, use crown reduction techniques to selectively trim branches down to a lateral branch. The tree should look full without looking overgrown.
4. Don’t Make Flush Cuts
It may be tempting to cut a branch flush along the trunk to remove it completely, but that can do irreparable harm to the tree and its structure. When you remove a branch, cut just outside of its collar, or the area at which it connects to the trunk. The small stub that remains where the branch used to be may look unsightly to some people, but the branch that grows back will be healthy, and the tree won’t be harmed by your cutting.
5. Hire a Professional
Tree trimming is difficult and potentially dangerous work. If you lack the proper tools or are just uncomfortable trimming a large tree yourself, hire a professional tree service instead. The job will be done safely and professionally, and your trees will remain healthy.
If you’re in need of a reliable tree trimming service in Carson City, NV, look no further than Joe Benigno’s Tree Service. We’ll be happy to assist you with all of your tree trimming and tree removal needs.
