If you’re a homeowner, you likely have put a fair amount of thought into how you should maintain your yards – whether you should keep a garden, plant hedges, weeding, cutting the grass, etc. However, something you might not have thought about is maintaining your trees. While you may think that trees can be left on their own, your trees would actually greatly benefit from a little TLC. Pruning your trees can keep them from becoming unwieldy and dropping branches all over your yard and roof, and it can help keep them healthy and aesthetically pleasing. If you want to level up your yard, you should start pruning your trees.
But how do I prune my trees, you may be wondering. After all, you don’t want just to start hacking at your trees willy-nilly. Lucky for you, we have some great tips and tricks to keeping your trees healthy and beautiful. So, here’s a beginner’s guide to tree pruning for your reference.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Pruning Trees
Canopy Tree highlights the importance of pruning trees in promoting safety and aesthetic appeal for your yard. Tree pruning refers to trimming or reducing the size of the tree or number of branches. But why do you need to prune trees in the first place?
Avoid Overgrowth of Tree Roots for Safety
A tree that grows more rapidly than you would like can affect the earth around it, which can damage the surrounding soil by drawing too rapidly on the nutrients there, depriving other plants, and eventually, itself, which can cause disease or death tree further down the line. That means you would need to remove the tree from the area immediately or do some serious revitalizing of your soil.
Prevent Insects from Inhabiting Your Trees
Trees can attract pests if they are not kept in the best condition. Pruning the branches and leaves of trees can prevent insects from making a home in them, especially if you live near heavily wooded areas.
If you trim the trees properly, they will not have to be sprayed with pesticides and other chemicals to harm them. When your trees’ condition is right, you can enjoy beautiful flowers and plants without worrying about pests infesting them.
Aesthetics
If you are a homeowner, you are well aware of the pressure to keep your property looking its best, either to keep your local HOA appeased, keep it appealing to potential buyers, or just for your own enjoyment. Having a well-manicured lawn is not the only part of keeping your yards looking great – taking care of all of the plant life there, trees included, is important to making your home as beautiful as possible.
When Is the Perfect Time to Trim Trees?
When it comes to tree pruning, you should know a few things, especially when it comes to proper timing. It is best to prune or trim your tree at least twice a year.
The first trimming season should take place in early spring. During this season, the tree is getting the moisture it needs and beginning to wake back up after the winter.
At the end of this season, the soil is dry, and your tree needs a second trimming. Most tree trimming is best done in late autumn when the leaves are about to fall. If the tree is too young to start shedding leaves, you need to wait until after the second or third summer your tree has been around before trimming the tree.
What Type of Trees Need Trimming?
A tree that is not properly maintained needs regular trimming. So, what are the types of trees that would require pruning?
- A tree with branches on the sides of the trunk
- A tree with unhealthy branches that need removing
- A tree with branches low to the ground would require a deep pruning cut
- A tree located at the bottom of a trellis
- A tree on the side of the house
What Tools to Use for Pruning Trees
Garden tools are must-have in the yard. There are several tree pruning tools you can use to trim trees properly, including the following:
- Secateurs
- Long reach pruners
- Loppers
- Saws
- Pruning shears
Tree Pruning Tips
Make Sure There Is Enough Space
If you happen to have trees that tend to grow too close together, the best way to ensure that they are properly cared for is to make sure that there is enough space between them.
Avoid Cutting Down Branches Damaging to Other Parts of the Yard
Avoid cutting down any branches that could cause damage to other parts of the property. For instance, a taller tree can be planted in a corner by trimming the branches around the base. In this way, there is a clear view of the tree when you walk through the front yard. It will ensure that the tree looks its best.
Don’t Prune A Tree with Too Much Foliage
The next pruning tip is never to prune and cut down a tree that has too much foliage. This type of pruning can damage the tree and the surroundings. Instead, it is recommended that a tree be trimmed only to its crown. It means that you will leave the top of the tree intact, with only the branches being cut away at the base to allow it to grow back.
Branches Are Cut in Different Lengths
When trimming a tree, you should also keep in mind that different branches should be cut in different lengths. Never do a two-pronged cut. Cut one branch at a time to ensure that you do not cut more than you need to.
Conclusion
All of these tips should help you make the most out of your pruning experiences and ensure that the tree you are pruning can look and work as good as possible. The more you know about your tree’s proper maintenance, the better your chances will be of maintaining its beauty and longevity. While pruning trees is not for everyone, knowing the tricks will help you have an easier time taking care of this treasured skill.
