When trees appear to be too tall or bushy, they need pruning. Typically, pruning is usually done once or twice a year, usually in spring. Typically, pruning is done strategically, during certain seasons of the year, however, the timing really depends on the particular tree species.
Spring-blooming trees are usually pruned in spring after the blooms have flowered. After the blooms have died down, it is recommended that you not prune the crown until mid-summer because it will likely be more susceptible to disease. The growth rings on the crown can be removed and replaced with new ones. You can also thin out the crown by removing some of the tree branches around it.
Summer-blooming trees, such as oak, cherry and maple, are pruned just before the buds open up. The reason for this season-trimming is to ensure perfect growth and shaping. Direct winds, especially in the mornings, are also a good way to accomplish this, so you can keep leaves off the branches of your tree pruning scissors. If you wish, after summer-blooming season, you can prune all of the tree pruning branches around the tree to achieve that perfect shape. However, the timing and amount of pruning you perform each season greatly depend on your climate.
In most cases, tree pruning is strictly cosmetic. Tree trimming can improve landscape aesthetics. Some pruning, however, may also serve an important purpose, such as improving health and pest control. To determine what purposes your tree trimming might serve, do some research or ask a knowledgeable tree expert.
When you trim trees, you can choose to do it yourself, by hand, using a hedge trimmer, pruning saw or even a pruning machine. Tree trimming with a power tool offers more precision than manual trimming and cuts down on the amount of waste produced. Trimming old, dying trees presents additional challenges. These machines are easy to use and give you control over the direction you want the branches to go.
Tree trimming and pruning, though often seen as a job for the arborist, actually is a do-it-yourself project that is made easier with the help of some basic tools. It is also part of a good tree care routine and shouldn’t be left until the last minute. Proper tree care will prevent problems such as decay, soil erosion, air pollution and hazardous structural damage. If you don’t trim your trees, you could also run into a situation where a tree that should have been removed ends up getting back. This could be a hazard to property, costly in dollars and lives, or pose a health risk to those who may come into contact with the diseased tree.