The Importance of Tree Trimming

Tree Trimming is a necessary part of keeping your landscape looking great. It can also improve the health and longevity of your trees. Proper pruning helps eliminate pests, promote new growth, prevent damage to structures and property, increase flower and fruit production, and ensure safety.

Tree trimming is most often done to maintain the overall size and shape of a tree or shrub or to increase light to the surrounding area. It can also be used to remove dead branches and limbs, or to address other health and appearance concerns. The goal is to create a balanced, attractive shape that enhances the aesthetics of your landscape.

Incorrect pruning can be more harmful to the plant than not pruning at all. For example, removing too many branches can compromise the structure of the tree, lead to a weak and unstable crown, and expose the interior to sun and wind damage. In addition, each cut you make compromises the tree’s defense system and leaves it open to fungus and insect infestation. It is important to prune only as much as is needed and no more than 25 percent of a tree’s total branches.

If a tree is not trimmed regularly, it can grow unruly with extra branches hanging over the roof or reaching into power lines. These branches restrict sunlight and inhibit the thriving of the rest of the plant. The overgrowth also makes it difficult for the tree to access nutrients and moisture.

A Bartlett arborist is trained and experienced in identifying the proper amount of trimming for each species and type of tree. The process is done on a schedule that works with the natural growing cycle of the tree to avoid unnecessary stress and injury.

Thinning is a specific type of pruning that involves removing limbs to reduce the density of a crown. It is a form of lightening that helps free up space for more air circulation, which in turn allows the plants underneath to thrive. The thinning process also helps to reduce the likelihood of storm damage and improves the look of the landscape.

To properly thin a tree, make your first cut on the underside of the branch, approximately 12-18 inches from where it connects to the trunk or main limb. Then, move an inch farther out on the limb and cut again. This second cut is designed to remove the stub without damaging the bark. The final cut should be made outside the branch collar, which is a small lip of bark where each limb protrudes from the trunk of the tree. This three-step process is designed to help the callus that forms at each cutting site heal quickly and avoid tearing or ripping of the bark during removal. It is also important to choose the correct time of year to thin a tree. The best time is in the winter when a tree is dormant, but if a storm during another season breaks branches and requires immediate attention, thinning can be done at any point.

from Sunshine Coast Tree Lopping Caloundra https://ift.tt/n5ducEG