Trees Pruning Landscaping - How to Prune Trees

Pruning is a procedure that serves many purposes that are essential to raising healthy trees.

Sometimes pruning is required to preserve the health of the tree. A broken branch is unhealthy for the tree as well as unattractive and should be removed. Sometimes the risk of injury and damage to property is a good reason to prune. Dead and wind-blown branches can easily injure your family or damage your home if they are not removed.

Pruning is also necessary to keep your trees and plants healthy enough to continue blooming and producing fruit properly year after year.

Pruning will also help trees grow in areas that experience heavy frost. Trees will compete for the available space and sunlight, as well as water and soil nutrients. It’s easier for them to share the sunlight and air if the large branches are cut so they aren’t crowded. Trees that are closer together than 10 feet should probably be transplanted to allow more room.

Pruning is essential for fruit trees to keep them producing plenty of fruit. A common problem for mature apple trees is criss-crossing branches that block the rest of the tree from receiving sunlight. When this happens, the tree will produce smaller fruit. If you prune out the branches, the tree will begin to yield larger fruit.

Different species of trees will require different techniques for pruning, so make sure you do your homework. Knowing the proper methods will help you choose the proper tools. Although some require special equipment, most species can be handled with common pruning instruments.

‘Crown thinning’ is a process that will create more space and allow the tree to receive more sunlight. The bushy part of the tree, created by the branches, is referred to as the crown. The center portion of the tree that comes up out of the ground is known as the stem.

You can ensure that sunlight reaches the entire tree by cutting back large branches, especially the ones near the bottom. This will also help to create sitting and walking area under the tree. An ordinary saw or a set of pruning shears will accomplish this. For larger branches, a chainsaw may be necessary.

If branches near the top of the tree need removed, you should contact a professional tree trimming service. If you can’t reach it with a 10 foot ladder and a pole saw, it’s probably too high to risk doing it yourself.

A chainsaw is recommended for cutting branches that are 10 cm and larger in diameter. Electric chainsaws are available, but they are not as powerful as the gas powered ones.

Never attempt to cut branches with a chainsaw using only one hand. This is a good rule for obvious safety reasons. If possible or if you have help, it’s good to try to support the branch while it’s being cut. Make your first cut away from the stem to avoid breaking or ripping that may damage the stem. After that, you can go back and cut the remainder of the branch closer to the stem.

Cut from the bottom of the branch to avoid it falling and tearing bark from the stem. Most trees will heal after cutting. If you expect insect problems, seal the wound with tree tar.

         

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