4 Basic Rules Of Tree Trimming
For more robust and healthier trees, here are basic rules you must remember when trimming.
27/04/2021
As tree leaves fall every autumn, tree branches also get their chance to show off their limbs after being covered with infinite foliage. During this time, many gardeners see this as an opportunity to inspect their trees and evaluate which branches need to be trimmed and pruned. Trimming trees is one way of improving your landscape, among many others.
Each cut on the tree branch can change your tree’s growth, making it much better-looking. Although trees still grow naturally without regular trimming, this routine will help in reaching their full potential growth and live for a long time. Moreover, trimming your trees every once in a while also helps remove dead branches, so the entire tree will keep thriving and reduce the risk of dead branches falling on the ground.
Proper Trimming Of Trees
However, these benefits can only happen if you’ve correctly trimmed your tree. To help you create more robust and healthier trees, here are basic rules you must remember when trimming:
1. Trim Your Tree During Its Dormant Season
In places where winter could be extremely cold and summer could be extremely hot like the Gulf of Mexico, the best time to trim your tree is during its dormant season or the tree’s resting period. In Texas, this often refers to the time around early winter when both the temperature and daylight start decreasing. During this time, trees will stop growing, temporarily become inactive, and slowly shed their dry leaves, remobilizing in preparation for springtime.
Although you can trim your tree any time, it’s still best to do it during the said season. You can trim the tree yourself if you’re properly equipped and knowledgeable about tree trimming. Otherwise, it’s best if you hire Tree Trimming Corpus Christi Texas and other credible services to do the job correctly for you.
2. Know Which Part You’re Trimming First
Before going ahead with the actual trimming, you need to know first which parts of the tree you’ll cut off. Check the overall characteristics of the tree and see which branches are dying, plagued with disease, or have some injuries on the branch, for these are the parts you’ll have to trim immediately.
Tree trimming isn’t only about cutting the branches; don’t miss out on checking the tree bark and see if it’s peeling. Additionally, check for the base of the tree and get rid of any sprouts growing that'll potentially suck your tree root’s nutrients.
You also need to know where to start cutting. Tree trimming isn’t as simple as merely cutting off a branch and getting over it. There are specifications you’ll need to remember to avoid your tree from getting damaged or infected with a disease.
Some pointers you mustn’t forget when trimming include:
- • Always trim from the back or above the growing point or from the soil line
- • You can also trim to the main trunk, branch, or a promising side branch
- • Never leave remains of a branch or stem
- • Never top a tree as your method of encouraging growth
Topping a tree will only ruin your tree’s natural shape and increase its risk for insect pests, storm damage, and other tree diseases.
3. Keep The Trees Balanced
Tree trimming is also about keeping your trees balanced and well-maintained. To do this, look out for any trunk or branches on the side seeming to be taller than the rest of the branches. These taller parts need to be trimmed as soon as possible because they could grow thicker into another tree trunk, making it look uneven and unsymmetrical.
Moreover, keep your eye out for branches looking twisted and unruly than the others. They must be trimmed to prevent them from growing further, which could ruin your tree’s overall look by entangling with the other branches. Other parts you need to cut include those branches in the way of anything such as towers, houses, power lines, and other tall buildings. Not only are they a tree issue, but they can also become a public safety hazard as they could potentially catch on fire or fall on houses and walking citizens during stormy weathers.
4. The Actual Cut
There’s no room for trial and error during tree pruning and trimming as a wrong cut could permanently damage your tree. It’s considered a bad cut when you’ve cut the wrong part or you’ve cut too deep. Incorrect trimming of the tree could lead to damage, putting it at higher risk for disease and pest infestations. If you’re not up for the task, try asking for professional tree trimming services.
Wrapping Up
Your trees need to be properly trimmed every three to five years to keep them healthy, in shape, and last for a long time. As long as you have a valid and reasonable purpose, there’s no need to feel guilty about tree trimming. After all, pruning your trees means taking care of them.