An overgrown tree can be dangerous and look untidy. What’s more, it might be more prone to disease and stunted growth. In this post, Tree Keepers, your go-to team for tree trimming in Littleton, explain why tree pruning is important.
Why Is Tree Maintenance Important?
It may seem contradictory to say we must practice good tree care when trees have been growing wild for thousands of years. However, an urban environment is far from natural for most species. We not only take native trees out of their natural habitat, but we also import exotic plants to areas where they may not do as well.
Trees can die for many reasons in the wild, but they’re more prone to disease, pests, and a failure to thrive when they’re outside their natural environment.
This means that we have to watch them carefully and give them a hand. Trimming an overgrown tree is part of that process. It not only makes it look neat, but it also removes weak branches that strain the ree’s resources. Furthermore, we can cut strategically to allow better airflow and sunlight penetration for better health.
When Should You Trim Your Trees?
The when is less important than why you’re pruning. If you’re removing a damaged or diseased branch, you can do so at any time of the year. If your goal is simply to tidy up an overgrown tree, stick to these guidelines:
- Winter is a good time for pruning because most trees are dormant. The tree is likely to produce less sap, and there are fewer insects and diseases around. Take the opportunity to clear away dead wood and deal with diseased or pest-infested branches.
- Spring is a good time to shape younger trees, removing branches that rub together. Keep the cuts to a minimum to stop excessive sap production.
- Summer pruning is something you should usually avoid unless there is damage.
How To Trim Your Trees
You should never prune just for the sake of doing so. Work out what your goals are before you start. Are you cutting away branches to improve air circulation or excess leaders? Do you want to shape the tree or boost growth?
Knowing your goals ahead of time allows you to work out the best strategy overall. You can then determine what tools you need and make sure that they’re clean and sharp enough to do the job.
When pruning, don’t remove more than a quarter of all the foliage in one season. If you do, you’ll harm the tree’s ability to generate food for itself. In the worst-case scenario, you could kill the plant, meaning you’ll face tree removal.
Next, make sure that you make clean cuts and work just outside of the branch collar. You’ll notice that a tree service tries not to leave stubs, as these inhibit the tree’s ability to heal.
Call Us for Help
Do you need help with an overgrown tree? Are you worried about other issues, like, “Can cutting branches kill a tree?” Contact Tree Keepers at (720) 534-2872 for the right advice and solutions every time.