Proper Pruning Improves Tree Health and Longevity

You can help your trees take shape by having them pruned properly. Proper pruning helps them grow into the shape you want, especially when trees are young.It takes a basic understanding of tree biology to prune trees in a way that promotes and maintains their health and structure. Proper pruning also improves the tree’s economic contribution to your landscape.How tree branches are pruned influences how they stand up to gravity, wind and even dangerous ice and snow storms. Too much cutback creates stress in trees, so it’s important to exercise caution and a little common sense. You should consider two questions before pruning;Why prune?Trees are most commonly pruned as a corrective or preventative measure to remove dead branches, crowded limbs and potential hazards.When to prune.Routine pruning can be done at any time of the year. However, the benefits are maximized if trees are pruned now, as summer fades into fall.The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) has published these points to consider before pruning a tree:

• Always have a purpose in mind before making a cut. Each cut has the potential to change the growth of the tree.
• Poor pruning can cause damage that lasts for the life of the tree. Learn where and how to make the cuts before picking up the pruning tools.
• Trees do not heal the way people do. When a tree is wounded, it must grow over the damage. As a result, the wound is contained within the tree forever.
• Small cuts do less damage to the tree than large ones. Correcting issues when a tree is young will reduce the need for more drastic pruning later.

Pruning large trees can be dangerous. It usually involves working above the ground and using power equipment like chain saws. It’s important to consider your safety, and that of your trees. That’s why your cardinal rule of tree ownership should be when you have to leave the ground, call in our professionals. Our arborists have the experience, equipment and special training to properly prune any size or species of tree.