Everyone loves to show off a beautifully kept yard, and keeping your trees neatly trimmed and pruned is vitally important to maintaining a healthy garden. Pruning your tree(s) ensures that any dead branches are removed before they break or fall off, which can be potentially dangerous to you or your home. Keeping the branches timed can also help your tree to look more aesthetically pleasing, and can even help the structural integrity of the tree by avoiding uneven weight distribution or awkward branch growths.
But there’s a lot more to pruning than clipping off leaves and branches. So before you grab the nearest saw or pair of shears, take a moment to check out these quick tips!
The Basics of Tree Pruning
There are a few things to keep in mind when getting ready to prune a tree. First off, you want to be sure that your timing is correct. For most trees, the best time to prune is in fall or early winter. This is when the tree is entering its dormant season, and it will be less likely to go into shock when you are removing branches. The cooler months also mean that there is less of a chance that fungi or insects will enter the tree through the newly trimmed areas and infect it.
Secondly, you want to be certain not to take too much off of your tree at one time. You want to approach tree pruning with a “less is more” mindset; try to achieve the desired effect with as little trimming as possible. Pruning too much or too quickly risks fatally damaging the tree. Never take more than a quarter off the top or “crown” of the tree, as this is where most of the leaves are and is how your tree absorbs the majority of its energy.
Thirdly, know that not all trees should be pruned at the same time, or in the same way. Many tree species require precise methods of pruning in order to avoid risking the tree’s health.
If you’re uncertain in any way about your ability to safely and effectively prune your tree, it’s always a good idea to seek the help of a certified arborist. Arborists are specially trained in keeping trees healthy and thriving, and are the best resource available when it comes to keeping your trees at their best.
Hiring a Professional Pruning Service
Nowadays, you can find most services online, and that includes locating a good arborist or gardener that can help prune your trees. Websites like Yelp, Angie’s List or Home Advisor can help you locate reliable companies or independent contractors, and showcase plenty of customer reviews to help you make your decision. These websites also make it easy to compare rates, so that you can be sure to find an excellent contractor without breaking the bank.
Just remember that when you hire an arborist or gardener to prune your trees, that they should be ready and willing to provide you with a copy of an up-to-date certificate of insurance and the work contract. You should also look for someone who is certified with a group like the International Society of Agriculture (ISA). A good arborist will be able to give you a detailed estimate on how much your project will cost, how long it will take, and what equipment he/she will need to use in order to get everything done. A great example company to hire if you are in the Massachusetts area is the tree pruning service in Framingham MA.
Trees are beautiful, long-lived, and useful additions to any yard or garden, and should be cared for just like any other good investment. Taking the time to ensure that your tree is pruned correctly and on a regular basis will go a long way towards making sure that it stays healthy for many years to come!