How Professionals Trim A Tree Without Killing It

We discuss some professional tips on how to do tree trimming from local tree service experts themselves, Mr. Tree Service of Fairfield.

Professional Tips for Successful Tree Trimming

Your landscaping may have some trees that have been there for decades, and you’ve become aware of their need for some touch-ups.  You can tell the branches are overgrown, and a few even appear to be dead.  

It might seem like grabbing a few tools and trimming the sections with obvious needs will do the trick, but trimming your tree improperly can cause quite a bit of damage.  

While it is recommended that you hire a skilled, knowledgeable tree service, you may decide to give it a go on your own.  If this is the case, keep the following advice in mind.

Use Clean and Correct Tools

Cleaning off your tools will prevent any fungus the tools may have touched from spreading to your healthy trees, opening up the possibility of them becoming infected.

Using the correct tools will make each particular part of the trimming process run smoothly.  Loppers are similar to shears and work great in fruit trees and on vines.  Pole pruners are good for reaching dead branches, and pruning saws are made specifically for pruning your trees.

Know the Right Season to Prune

Follow the guidelines of the professionals and withhold pruning your tree during its growing season.  This time is between late fall and early spring before the blooms begin to show.  Waiting until the tree is dormant is beneficial in the tree’s growth.

Never Top Your Trees

Some people have been misinformed about topping their trees, thinking that it’s the correct way to bring down the size of the tree and bring on new growth.  The short explanation of this practice is that your tree will grow new small branches and leaves as quickly as it can because its nutrition was cut off and it is desperate to survive.  Some trees do not survive this technique.  

Thinning your tree is the healthy option.  You can thin out the crown of the tree, which increases better circulation for your tree while taking away dead and unwanted branches.

Remember, never have your trees topped.

Start While the Tree is Young

You can start caring for your trees while they are yet young, removing any branches that are infected or damaged.  While you are taking care of the trimming and pruning of your young trees, you want to remember to not get carried away.  Too much pruning when it’s unnecessary can end up damaging your tree instead of helping it to have a long, healthy life.

Although trimming your own trees may be less costly than hiring a professional to do the job, the knowledgeable care and skilled pruning can save you unforeseen expenses if you run into issues with your trees, or if you make mistakes in trimming that need repaired.  Figuring in the cost of the tools you need to buy for the project will also add to your own expenses for the project, which may not be worth the trouble of trying to do it yourself after all.  Careful pruning if of the utmost importance because the greatest cost can come from being careless-the cost of the life of your tree.