Your property’s landscape trees are a great asset. Proper pruning helps ensure their safety and provides environmental benefits. Pruning safely removes branches that interfere with people, vehicles, buildings, wires, or other trees. It also reduces risk by minimizing the likelihood of damage from wind and snow. Structural pruning promotes a strong structure of a mature tree’s primary branches (scaffold branches). It includes training young trees to have one dominant leader over time and reducing branches growing too close together.
Crowded Canopies
The first step is to prune limbs that are dead or diseased. It should always be done before they fall to the ground and cause damage. In addition, branches that are rubbing against each other or growing too close to your house or power lines should be removed as well. Structural pruning involves removing limbs from the tree’s crown to make room for future growth and maintain a strong structure. It can be done for trees that are too dense and promote codominant stems or have tight V-forks that will lead to splitting as the tree matures. When removing a branch, it’s important to cut only to the point where the stub is completely covered by bark. Leaving too long of a stub makes it harder for the wound to close and can also invite pathogens to enter the tree. It’s also important not to remove too much of the tree immediately. During removal, a professional will prevent injury to persons, animals, and property. By employing Tree Work, you reduce the possibility of harming other people and your safety. With the right training, climbing trees and using cutting and pruning equipment is easier.
Dead or Dying Limbs
Pruning can remove dead or dying branches before they fall and damage your home or yard. It also stimulates new growth, increases air circulation and sunlight penetration, and helps trees maintain shape. Most shade and ornamental trees require regular pruning, while some (like holly) only need pruning every few years or as needed. For optimum health, most deciduous trees, shrubs, and many needled evergreens are best pruned while dormant in winter or early spring before spring growth flush. Not only are damaged or dead limbs a safety hazard, but they can fall during storms, damage your house and cars, and obstruct walkways. If left unchecked, they can also create an entry point for insects and diseases.
Damage to Your Home
Many people prune their trees due to damage from storms or when limbs are in the way of driveways, sidewalks, houses, etc. However, it’s also important to prune proactively to minimize the risk of future damage from wind or other natural disasters. Dead or dying branches can fall on cars, people, pets, and structures below them, creating major hazards and costly damages. They can also tangle or dangle in the air, leading to property damage and injuries. Pruning is a great time to reduce the risk of these problems by removing unhealthy, disease-ridden, weakly attached, or low-strength branches from a tree’s crown. In addition, regular pruning stimulates new growth and enhances overall air circulation and sunlight penetration, making trees healthier and less susceptible to insects and diseases. It’s best to avoid removing more than 25% of a tree during any pruning cycle.
Insects and Other Pests
Puncturing a tree or shrub stimulates growth by improving sunlight penetration and air circulation. It can help prevent disease, reduce the risk of damage from wind and rain, and promote plant health. Pruned trees can also improve pedestrian safety by reducing the likelihood of dead or flailing branches. In addition, pruning can also remove limbs that are too close to homes, which could cause damage to roofs or siding during harsh weather. Depending on the desired goals, a professional can recommend the best time to prune a tree or shrub. In general, it is recommended that pruning be done during winter or late fall to minimize stress on the plant. It is because these are the dormant seasons for plants, which makes them less susceptible to damage and anxiety caused by pruning. Additionally, pruning during these times can minimize the risk of removing leaves or fruit that may attract insects and other pests.
