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| Tips to Pruning Trees |
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Trees and landscaping are an important aspect of the beauty and value of your home. For many homeowners the task is daunting and pruning and trimming their trees is often ignored. Here are a few tips to understanding how to prune your trees and when to hire a tree service professional.
If you need a ladder, it is probably best to leave the pruning to a professional arborist.
Trees less than 25 feet tall are considered safe for the home gardener to prune. Anything taller, or for large branches, should be handled by a professional.
If you decide to do the pruning and trimming yourself; here are a few guidelines and tips:
Tip 1 – Identify the tree species. Your local garden center or tree care websites that can help you identify what type of tree you are going to prune. Understanding the characteristics of your tree will help you determine the best time and way to trim your tree. Most trees will need pruning in the late fall or winter, when they are dormant, although dead or damaged parts should be removed immediately.
Tip 2 – Identify which branches you want to trim. Before removing any branches mark them by placing colored tape, string or rope on the branches you want to trim.
Tip 3 - Follow the basic steps to proper pruning. After identifying what branches you will remove, follow these basic steps:
a)Make a shallow cut underneath the branch to be removed.
b)A bit further along the branch, make a cut all the way through, removing the bulk of the branch.
c)Finally, cut the stub off, close to the branch.
d)Be sure to remove the stub completely, but definitely leave the stem collar; this collar is the tree’s natural defense against diseases and insects entering it.
Tip 4 – View the tree before, during and after pruning. Once you have trimmed your tree, step back and view the tree from different angles.
Some final thoughts:
•Safety First – trimming branches on a tall or shaky ladder is just asking for injury, which is much more costly than hiring a professional arborist.
•Do not over-prune; less is more. There is always next year.
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