Trees can add a great amount of beauty and life to your yard when they’re healthy. If they’re not taken care of regularly, though, they may become infested with pests or infections. Trimming is essential to protect your trees and ensure their health by preventing these threats from taking hold.

How Tree Trimming Prevents Pests

Dead branches are a breeding ground for pests like termites, ants, and beetles. These insects use decaying wood for shelter and reproduction, which can lead to widespread infestations. Removing dead wood during trimming eliminates these conditions, keeping pests at bay and limiting their ability to spread to nearby plants.

Overgrown branches also offer places for pests to hide. Pests are drawn by the shade as well as the protection untrimmed canopies provide. Trimming clears out such spaces, which minimizes how much pests are drawn toward living on your property.

Low-hanging or overhanging branches act as bridges for pests to move across different trees, plants, and other structures. In the case of ants, they use branches to access homes or other parts of your yard easily. This movement is pretty difficult to trace until it gets out of control. Trimming your trees helps to minimize such pathways, reducing the spread of pests and saving your property from additional complications.

Preventing Infections Through Tree Trimming

Infections often begin in weakened or damaged branches. Fungi and bacteria can take hold in these areas, spreading to healthier parts of the tree if left untreated. Trimming removes infected branches before the problem escalates, stopping the spread of harmful organisms and preserving the overall vitality of the tree.

Excessive growth within the canopy holds moisture, thereby creating a damp setting that encourages infection. Mold and mildew flourish in such a setting, slowly debilitating the tree. In addition to inflicting damage on the affected branches, this retained moisture can also impact the surrounding foliage. Pruning enhances airflow, allowing water to evaporate, which results in an environment that isn’t conducive for infections to develop.

Sunlight is vital for keeping the trees healthy and robust against infections. Overgrown branches block light from reaching the inner parts of the tree, making those areas weaker and more prone to infection. By having the tree trimmed, you ensure that all parts of the tree receive adequate sunlight, which helps in strengthening the natural defenses and promoting a more balanced growth.

If you live in Wilmington, NC, and need professional tree trimming services to protect your trees from pests and infections, contact A+ Tree & Landscaping today.