Tree Trimming and Pruning

When a tree or shrub is properly pruned, it can increase its life expectancy. In addition to enhancing the beauty and safety of your landscape, pruning promotes flowering and fruit production, reduces hazards to people or property and regulates plant size. Correct pruning can also increase the amount of moisture, nutrients and sunlight a plant receives. Conversely, a tree or shrub that is not properly pruned can be stunted, weakened or become susceptible to disease and pests.

Trimming and Pruning

There are several types of trimming, which vary by goal and purpose. The most basic, and usually most important, is removing dead or damaged limbs to improve tree health and structure. Proper removal is key to preventing structural failure, soil erosion and the spread of disease and pests. In addition, regular trimming can prevent limbs from hanging over the roof or stretching into power lines, a risk that poses both health and safety concerns for people and animals.

Thinning is the most common pruning technique performed on mature trees to reduce the density of a canopy. This reduces stress from gravity, wind, ice or snow on selected limbs and may also help to reduce the potential for storm damage. When thinning is done correctly, it increases sunshine penetration throughout the crown and decreases tension on selected limbs without changing the shape of a tree or shrub.

Often, the upper branches of a tree will become too dense and shade out lower areas of the foliage. A Bartlett arborist can identify and reduce this issue, which will enhance the overall appearance of your landscape, eliminate interference with objects or structures and increase the light available below the canopy.

A third common reason for pruning is to improve the visual aesthetics of your landscape. This is generally achieved by reducing the length of branch stubs, removing crossing or rubbing branches and removing diseased or insect-infested limbs. This will allow more light to reach the ground and can help your yard feel bigger.

When trimming is done by an experienced, professional arborist, the results can be very satisfying. The process requires knowledge of proper pruning techniques and equipment, as well as the ability to assess a tree’s overall health and structural integrity. Trying to trim large, established shade and ornamental landscape trees without the right training and equipment can be hazardous and lead to significant injuries and property damage. For this reason, unless you have the appropriate training and equipment, leave tree trimming to the professionals.

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