Answering Your Top 5 Questions About Tree Pruning
Posted on: 10 May 2022
As your trees grow bigger, you may notice some branches are overgrown, diseased, or dead. Upon asking around for solutions, your friends or family may suggest tree pruning. But unless you're a tree expert, it's likely you don't have adequate knowledge or experience in tree pruning. Below are five questions you might have and their answers.
What Is Pruning, and Why Is It Important?
Pruning is the selective reduction or removal of certain unwanted parts of a tree, such as branches, roots, or buds.
When done right, pruning helps to improve the tree's structure, promote new healthy growth, enhance the aesthetic beauty of the tree and yard, and improve sun exposure. Pruning can also protect you and your property by removing dead, defective limbs in danger of falling.
Is Tree Pruning Similar to Tree Trimming?
While these two terms are oftentimes used interchangeably, they are slightly different. Tree trimming focuses on aesthetics—the removal of overgrown branches to improve a tree's shape and appearance. Tree pruning also enhances a tree's appearance, but its primary focus is to remove the unwanted branches for the tree's future health.
When Should You Prune Trees?
Trees need regular pruning, at least once every year. However, various factors like your type of tree and its location could also determine the frequency of trimming. For example, if a tree is close to a power line, any dead branches should be removed as soon as possible to prevent power disruptions and fires.
Tree pruning may also be necessary under special circumstances. If you're constructing a new house in an area surrounded by trees, it may be advisable to prune the trees' roots to avoid foundation damage.
What's the Best Time to Prune Trees?
If your tree has diseased or dead branches, the earlier you prune them, the better. It doesn't matter which time or season of the year it is. But if you're doing tree maintenance, the best time to prune will depend on the type of tree. Call an arborist to examine your tree and determine when pruning should be done.
To help you learn more, here are some types of trees that require pruning at specific times:
- Fruiting trees: The best time for pruning is when they are dormant to promote fruit production
- Spring-flowering trees: The best time is after flowering
- Sap-producing hardwoods: Should be pruned when there is no sap flow
- Oak trees: Pruning works best during winter dormancy to avoid oak wilt
Can You Prune Your Own Trees?
Technically, you can. But unless you're a certified arborist, this isn't advisable. Pruning goes beyond removing dead and decaying branches. It requires a proper understanding of a tree's branching structure and which branches can/can't be removed. Without this knowledge, you risk removing the wrong branch or making improper cuts to affect the entire health of the tree. Hence, let professional tree care givers handle the job. Look into tree trimming for more information.
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