Tree Pruning/Trimming
Tree pruning, also known as trimming, can serve several purposes, including hazard reduction and maintenance. Hazard reduction rids your tree of branches that compromise the structural integrity of the tree. Deadwood is full of decay, fungal organisms, and insects, and should be removed. Maintenance pruning can make your tree more aesthetically pleasing, while increasing metabolic processes and promoting better health.
While both are vital in maintaining the health of your trees, it's important to know the difference between trimming and pruning.
The Difference Between Trimming and Pruning
Tree trimming encourages healthy growth whereas tree pruning is utilized for the removal of unnecessary branches. Trimming is most often done to maintain a tree's appearance, which contributes to the property's overall value. Tree pruning helps keep unwanted growth in check and involves the removal of dead or diseased roots, broken branches, or limbs that have grown in an undesirable direction.
When Should Trees Be Pruned?
The best time of year to prune your trees is sometime between late fall and early spring. During the fall and winter, trees enter a dormant state which halts their growth. Pruning once new growth has started can stunt the tree's potential for future blooming, which makes this period of inactivity perfect for this task. There are a variety of pruning tools, including secateurs, loppers and saws.
Utilize these tools for the two basic pruning techniques, heading and thinning. Heading removes only part of a shoot or limb whereas thinning removes shoots or limbs in their entirety. Heading results in the loss of a tree's natural form and encourages thick, compact growth. Thinning provides a more natural growth form, shortening limbs and improving light penetration.
Why Choose Us?
The ISA Certified Arborists at Minnesota Tree Surgeons are educated and experienced in how to prune your trees without jeopardizing their health and longevity. Every pruning cut is made with the plant’s health in mind, making the proper pruning cut so the branch bark collar seals over and prevents decay.
Pruning Young Trees
Pruning trees when young helps develop correct and strong branches and tree trunks. It’s always best to have one tree trunk. It minimizes costly corrective pruning as the tree matures, and helps them live longer and look better.
Pruning Mature Trees
As trees age, they are exposed to environmental situations that can cause damage, such as storms, drought, insects, and disease. Removal of dead branches in the canopy helps minimize decay.
We do not recommend the use of tree climbing spikes while pruning trees as they can cause damage to your tree.
