Introduction to Tree Trimming ,and pruning
A tree may need pruning for a variety of reasons:
To remove diseased or destroyed branches, thin branches, to thin the crown to permit new growth and better air circulation. Also to reduce height of a tree or remove lower branches. In case of a large tree where you want to remove big branches, you should leave to the professional!
To better know if a tree is sick and dying, there are some major signs and symptoms to watch out for. You should start by checking for any cracks in the major limbs and trunk. Look also for dead branches, discolored or wilted leaves, sawdust in the root zone or trunk base, fungi growth at the base of the tree, hollow and decayed areas, and insect damage. There are a number of things that can cause damage to a tree, some of which are not easily visible if they are root funguses below the ground. Generally, by looking carefully at a tree for signs of ill health, you can get a good idea of whether the tree may be in need of aid.
If you suspect that your tree is dying, the best way to respond to it is to call a tree doctor or arborist. These are experts who specialize in diagnosing tree diseases and who will help you to determine both if the tree is dying and, if so, if the sick tree can still get better or not. Unfortunately, a dying tree cannot often be saved and it may not be worth the expense to do so unless the tree is very old or rare or special to you. Cutting the tree down is often your best and safest option.
If you need to cut down a tree, there are companies that will help you with this job. Cutting a tree is never a job for inexperienced homeowners for safety reasons. Local tree companies will help you with your tree-cutting needs, and can assist in cutting down and discarding both the tree and stump for you safely.
If you have a tree in your yard, you may be reluctant to take it down if you don’t have to. Trees beautify landscape, give you shade, and bear fruit for you to enjoy. The last thing you want to do is to cut a tree that really does not have to come down. A sick and dying tree, however, can be very dangerous to your home and loved ones.
Among the more common and visible characteristics are the following:
Dead limbs.
Hollow trunks
When a trunk becomes hollow in the center due to rot or insects it is difficult to save the tree.
Defoliation. Sometimes a tree, no matter what precautions and care are taken, is just not suited to its location. It does not grow, its leaves are small and misshapen, and it just does not look right. It may be the wrong variety, it may be over- or under-watered, or get too much or not enough sun. The best thing to do is remove it and replace it with a variety more suited to the location.
When to prune?
The dormant season, late fall or winter, is the best time to prune although dead branches can and should be removed at any time. Pruning during the dormant period minimizes sap loss and subsequent stress to the tree. It also minimizes the risk of fungus infection or insect infestation as both fungi and insects are likely to be in dormancy at the same time as the tree. Finally, in the case of deciduous trees, pruning when the leaves are off will give you a better idea of how your pruning will affect the shape of the tree.
How much to prune or trim?
When deciding how much to prune a tree, as little as possible is often the best rule of thumb. All prunes place stress on a tree and increase its vulnerability to disease and insects. On no account, prune more than 25% of the crown and ensure that living branches compose at least 2/3 of the height of the tree. Pruning more risks fatally damaging your tree. In some cases, storm damage, height reduction to avoid crowding utility lines or even raising the crown to meet municipal bylaws, your pruning choices are made for you. But even in these instances, prune as little as you can get away with. Our Licensed Arborist know what to trim and how to trim it without overly wounding or damaging your trees. In addition, some branches that require trimming can weigh hundreds of pounds, while others might be high in the tree, creating significant safety issues and demanding special skill and equipment.
A tree may need pruning for a variety of reasons:
To remove diseased or destroyed branches, thin branches, to thin the crown to permit new growth and better air circulation. Also to reduce height of a tree or remove lower branches. In case of a large tree where you want to remove big branches, you should leave to the professional!
To better know if a tree is sick and dying, there are some major signs and symptoms to watch out for. You should start by checking for any cracks in the major limbs and trunk. Look also for dead branches, discolored or wilted leaves, sawdust in the root zone or trunk base, fungi growth at the base of the tree, hollow and decayed areas, and insect damage. There are a number of things that can cause damage to a tree, some of which are not easily visible if they are root funguses below the ground. Generally, by looking carefully at a tree for signs of ill health, you can get a good idea of whether the tree may be in need of aid.
If you suspect that your tree is dying, the best way to respond to it is to call a tree doctor or arborist. These are experts who specialize in diagnosing tree diseases and who will help you to determine both if the tree is dying and, if so, if the sick tree can still get better or not. Unfortunately, a dying tree cannot often be saved and it may not be worth the expense to do so unless the tree is very old or rare or special to you. Cutting the tree down is often your best and safest option.
If you need to cut down a tree, there are companies that will help you with this job. Cutting a tree is never a job for inexperienced homeowners for safety reasons. Local tree companies will help you with your tree-cutting needs, and can assist in cutting down and discarding both the tree and stump for you safely.
If you have a tree in your yard, you may be reluctant to take it down if you don’t have to. Trees beautify landscape, give you shade, and bear fruit for you to enjoy. The last thing you want to do is to cut a tree that really does not have to come down. A sick and dying tree, however, can be very dangerous to your home and loved ones.
Among the more common and visible characteristics are the following:
Dead limbs.
Hollow trunks
When a trunk becomes hollow in the center due to rot or insects it is difficult to save the tree.
Defoliation. Sometimes a tree, no matter what precautions and care are taken, is just not suited to its location. It does not grow, its leaves are small and misshapen, and it just does not look right. It may be the wrong variety, it may be over- or under-watered, or get too much or not enough sun. The best thing to do is remove it and replace it with a variety more suited to the location.
When to prune?
The dormant season, late fall or winter, is the best time to prune although dead branches can and should be removed at any time. Pruning during the dormant period minimizes sap loss and subsequent stress to the tree. It also minimizes the risk of fungus infection or insect infestation as both fungi and insects are likely to be in dormancy at the same time as the tree. Finally, in the case of deciduous trees, pruning when the leaves are off will give you a better idea of how your pruning will affect the shape of the tree.
How much to prune or trim?
When deciding how much to prune a tree, as little as possible is often the best rule of thumb. All prunes place stress on a tree and increase its vulnerability to disease and insects. On no account, prune more than 25% of the crown and ensure that living branches compose at least 2/3 of the height of the tree. Pruning more risks fatally damaging your tree. In some cases, storm damage, height reduction to avoid crowding utility lines or even raising the crown to meet municipal bylaws, your pruning choices are made for you. But even in these instances, prune as little as you can get away with. Our Licensed Arborist know what to trim and how to trim it without overly wounding or damaging your trees. In addition, some branches that require trimming can weigh hundreds of pounds, while others might be high in the tree, creating significant safety issues and demanding special skill and equipment.
Pruning of Spring flowering shrubs begins and
con nues from APRIL through JUNE. Bring some flowering branches indoors
to enjoy their color and scent. Some Spring flowering shrubs (botanical
name included) are Cotoneaster spp,Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles spp)
Forsythia spp, Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp),Lilac (Syringa spp), Oak leaf
hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), WeigelaFlorida, Rhododendrum spp
(azalea and only prune spent flowers), Spring flowering Spirea spp.April 1
is recommended for pruning late blooming shrubs. If your almanac
arriveslater than early April, hold off on them. You don’t want to be
deflowering them with your pruner. Evergreens should be pruned before
July 4. In May you can s ll
prune those trees or shrubs that are too tall or too
heavy. Important recommenda on is to be sure that at least 1/3 of the
shrub remains. In June you will be pruning out dead plant materials and
keeping plants well watered. Mulch for your trees over winter can be
replaced with fresh mulch to preve
Pruning of Spring flowering shrubs begins and con nues from APRIL
through JUNE. Bring some flowering branches indoors to enjoy their
color and scent. Some Spring flowering shrubs (botanical name included)
are Cotoneaster spp, Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles spp) Forsythia spp,
Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp), Lilac (Syringa spp), Oak leaf hydrangea
(Hydrangea quercifolia), Weigela Florida, Rhododendrum spp (azalea and
only prune spent flowers), Spring flowering Spirea spp. April 1 is
recommended for pruning late blooming shrubs. If your almanac
arrives later than early April, hold off on them. You don’t want to be
deflowering them with your pruner. Evergreens should be pruned before
July 4. In May you can s ll prune those trees or shrubs that are too
tall or too heavy. Important recommenda on is to be sure that at least
1/3 of the shrub remains. In June you will be pruning out dead plant
materials and keeping plants well watered. Mulch for your trees over
winter can be replaced with fresh mulch to prevent weeds. Avoid placing
mulch up on the bark of trees. Check your trees or shrubs for insect
damage. There may be tent caterpillars in crotches of trees; these can
be removed with a strong hose spray. Pine sawfly can be a problem with
the larvae worms in the pine needles. Birch leaf miner can be feeding
on birch leaves.
Thanks for posting this! My wife and I just moved to Minnesota, but have been having a huge problem with our trees. We have been looking for a quality service that does tree trimming in Minnesota. This gave us some insights on what to look for. Thanks again for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHiring tree services that are trained at completely removing trees will ensure that the job is done perfectly. Every penny you pay them will be worth it.
ReplyDeleteTree Removal Melbourne