Tree Care and Pruning

PRUNING

Often very overlooked and necessary maintenance that can greatly benefit new and old trees. Correctly pruning of young tree will increase the longevity, improve the structure, and just make it more visually appealing. Also will decrease the need and cost of future maintenance. 

We do recommend contacting a Certified Arborist for anything more than basic tree care.  Incorrect pruning can cause damage or even lead to the death of the tree as well as be dangerous for the individuals. An arborist is a specialist in the care of individual trees

Trees may need to be pruned to:

• Remove dead or hazardous branches

• Maintain vehicular, pedestrian, and sight clearance

• Improve the tree structure, e.g. balancing crown weight to avoid future leaning

• Increase light or air penetration

• Improve tree aesthetics

When to Contact an Arborist:

• The tree cannot be pruned from the ground.

• The tree has been identified as hazardous.

• The tree is near electrical or other utility lines.

• The branch(es) that need to be pruned are large.

Safety Tips:

• Keep pruning equipment sharp, clean, and in good operating condition.

• Make clean cuts.

• Be careful with all tools.

• When pruning trees that show evidence of disease, disinfect pruning equipment between trees. During extreme infestations, disinfect equipment between cuts.

• Always wear personal protective safety equipment, including safety glasses, while pruning.

Timing:

Generally it is best to prune the living branches in the dormant season or very early spring before the leaves form. During these times the tree is able to close the wounds the fastest.  With flowering trees you should wait until after they bloom.  You can prune dead or dying branches at any time.  There are some species of trees that maybe an exception to these recommendations.

Young trees benefit the most from pruning as it will allow the tree to reach its full potential in maturity and can reduce the need for more costly maintenance in the future. You can remove up to a third of the foliage on a new tree in a growing season, but it is best to only remove dead, broken, crossed, or rubbing branches. The goal is to direct the trees growth to have a strong trunk, better branch spacing and structure, and an overall appealing shape.

 Inspect new trees every year and prune regularly throughout their life to maintain health and keep them looking their best. Remember the larger a limb grows before pruning means a larger wound for the tree, this takes longer and is more difficult for the tree to seal up. Larger wounds also allow more time for pests, disease and rot to set in.

On mature trees do not remove more than a quarter of the foliage in a single growing season.  You can prune branches that may become problem in the future. Broken or dead branches can be very dangerous as they are likely to fall. 

NEVER top a tree. It creates a very weak tree much more susceptible to insects, disease, and rot. Weaker branching growth will take its place and can break and fall with little or no cause. You would be better off removing the entire tree rather than removing the top.