Regularly pruning your trees is a critical part of your duty of care. Removing weak, dead, and diseased branches prevents these structures from breaking and falling off unexpectedly. Pruning is also vital for ensuring tree health. If done correctly, this task improves stability and aesthetics, promotes new and more advantageous growth, and boosts the tree’s overall vigor. Here are some ways to ensure that pruning your trees doesn’t leave them worse for wear.
Thin Out Heavy Canopies
Unlike pruning, which entails the selective removal of any tree part, limbing focuses on the lower portion of trees. When limbing, homeowners often remove low-hanging branches to improve trees’ looks, strategically shape them, and provide adequate clearance for walking, lawnmowers, and more.
Unfortunately, over-limbing trees can be just as problematic as not pruning them at all. Over-limbing can lead to overly dense tree canopies that make trees prone to breakage and more vulnerable to heavy winds. A tree with an especially dense canopy is more likely to be uprooted or experience breakage near its trunk base. When pruning, be sure to thin out heavy canopies to limit trunk stress and keep your trees wind resistant.
Inspect for Weak, Diseased, or Dead Limbs
Pruning should never be a solely aesthetic process. This is an opportunity to check for and address weak, diseased, and dead or dying limbs. Look for evidence of infestations, illness, and wind- or impact-related injuries. Simply removing branches that don’t look their best won’t keep your trees hearty if they’re already battling underlying issues.
Avoid Over-Pruning
Approach pruning with balance in mind. Taking too much foliage and too many branches or limbs off at once can severely impact a tree’s ability to photosynthesize energy and store it. Over-pruning trees can also diminish their stability and overall structure and cause undue stress. Removing too many low and low-hanging branches can even make trees more predisposed to sunburning and sun-scalding. If you aren’t sure how much to take off and where to remove it, consult with a tree care expert first.
Don’t Leave Stubs Behind
When taking branches and limbs off, make angled cuts. Cutting at a 45-degree angle will allow your trees to recover faster. Avoid leaving flat ends or stubs behind, as these make trees vulnerable to pests and disease.
Leave Branch Collars Intact
Branch collars are the slight swellings where branches connect with tree trunks. They contain special chemicals and cells that help trees rebound from pruning and keep them protected from infestations and disease while they’re vulnerable. While you might be tempted to leave a newly pruned area perfectly flush with the remaining tree, always leave branch collars intact.
Hire Tree Trimming Experts
Even if you’re eager to handle tree trimming on your own, it’s always best to hire experts. Professional arborists can give each tree the species-specific care it deserves. They can also share insights for safeguarding your trees when you do decide to do this maintenance yourself.
Professional tree care ensures that limbing and pruning never cause more problems than they solve. For expert tree trimming and pruning in Wilmington, NC, contact A+ Tree & Landscaping today.
