When trimming at home, by yourself, several mistakes are often made. Here are some reasons why you should always reach out to a professional for your trimming needs!
1. Wrong Timing
Proper timing when trimming trees is essential to the health of the tree. Generally, the
best time of year to trim is before the buds form which is in late winter or early spring. Trimming
during this dormancy helps reduce the risk of pests and disease spread. Flowering trees need trimmed before leaf emergence. Maples and Birches, generally, shouldn’t be trimmed in
the spring due to the sap flow being heavy. Oaks shouldn’t be trimmed during high transmitting
periods of oak wilt, most commonly from April to November. Improper trimming time causes
increased stress on the tree.
2. Trimming Cuts
It is important to make proper cuts when trimming trees, as your trimming goals need to
be met and the tree needs to be protected. Certain types of cuts are made for certain trimming
goals. For example, thinning cuts need to be made where trees naturally shed their branches.
Other cuts like topping cuts should not be made, as topping cause stress, which brings an
increased risk of pests and diseases, weakness in structure, possible death, as well as can
bring down your property value, increase your liability, and cost you money later for removal.
Over-trimming also leads to bad heath for the tree.
3. Branch Collar
The branch collar is the area of the tree that swells where the branch meets the trunk.
The function of the branch collar is to protect the tree’s interior against any infections. Its
similar to your immune system that works to naturally protect you against infections. This
branch collar needs to remain on the tree, as if you do cut it off, you are leaving an open wound
for pests and diseases to seep into the system.
4. Trimming Tools & Care of Tools
Proper tools and maintenance of them are necessary in the care of trees. Clean cuts
need to be made to trees. This means that the shears need to be sharp. Blunt shears can leave
jagged areas on the tree where pests or diseases can get in. Sanitizing between cuts in necessary in
some cases. This helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases. Further, proper sanitizing
products should be used for sterilization, as it is necessary in protection against plant tissue damage.
5. Little to No Trimming
This causes issues in itself. Under trimming can have negative effects on your tree.
Such as it doesn’t promote good health, increase structural weakness, and increases your risk
liability. The same negative effects come with not trimming at all, as well as an increased
susceptibility to pests and diseases. Trees need regular trimming to promote healthy growth for
a healthy habitat. Trimming also helps increase the survival of the tree itself.
Why You Should Use a Knowledgeable Tree Service
Using a knowledgeable tree service increases your tree’s chance at long-term survival and promotes the tree’s
health. Professionals know where to make proper cuts depending on each goal you have for
the tree itself. These goals could include thinning, raising the canopy, or structural. Tree
services also know when to trim and how often species need trimmed. They also respect the
branch collar which is a very important aspect of tree care. Tree services, like ours, also have
the ability to work with arborists when necessary. Now is the time to trim your trees before
spring. Reach out with any questions or a free estimate now! Tree Pruning – Great Lakes Tree Service
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