Tree pruning is best left to the pros. It’s dangerous work, climbing high up trees, using chainsaws and lowering heavy branches to the ground; and it can also be dangerous for the tree as well. Trees that are improperly pruned can experience a lifetime of problems.
Instead of putting yourself and the tree itself at risk, enlist an arborist who is trained and experienced to do it for you.
This will lead to much stronger trees and a safer environment near your landscaping for many reasons:
- Healthier trees are stronger and less likely to cause damage during severe storms
- Cared for trees don’t attract or spread parasites and diseases
- Pruned trees grow more flowers or fruit
- Pruned trees provide shade and allow air to flow throughout their canopies and your landscaping
AL Tree Trimming highly encourages pruning trees that are very close to your home or those that are an integral part of your property.
Is Tree Trimming Necessary?
It is not necessary. But it is important. Trees are hardy and grow on their own across the world, in various different climates and locations, without being trimmed.
That said, there are many benefits of tree trimming, so it’s recommended for trees that you care about. This includes sentimental trees, fruit trees and blossoming trees or trees that perform an important service for your home, such as shade or wildlife habitat.
Tree Trimming Gone Wrong
Tree pruning is a difficult task. You are going to need the right equipment and a lot of information to ensure the job is done correctly. The vast majority of homeowners don’t have either of these!
But that’s OK, because there are plenty of professionals available who know how to correctly trim trees for an affordable price to you including all arborists in Alabama we work with!
Below are the 5 most common mistakes people make when they attempt DIY tree trimming that can lead to several tree problems. These are things that a certified arborist from AL Tree Trimming will know, and that’s why their services are worth the price!
Pruning Too Much
When done correctly, pruning is an ongoing process. Starting when your trees are only 2 or 3 years old, they should be looked after by a professional if you care about them and intend to keep them healthy.
A big mistake homeowners make when pruning trees by themselves is trimming too much of the tree all at once. This occurs because they let the tree’s growth get out of hand and try to fix it all at once. Ideally, you should only cut off 5-20% of the tree’s crown at a once. It is much easier to do this during a time of year that there are no leaves, but a certified arborist will be able to safely prune trees any time of year.
Removing Tree Bark
After you cut a tree limb and gravity starts pulling it down, it can tear off bark from the tree trunk right along with it. This exposes the tree’s inner layers, putting the tree in danger of attracting diseases and making it easier for insects to find their way in.
To guarantee this doesn’t happen, an arborist makes special cuts beneath large branches before making their final removal cut. Knowing how to place these initial cuts removes pressure from the branch collar and reduces the stress at the exact point of the main cut so the branch doesn’t rip.
Cutting at the Wrong Place
A certified tree specialist knows exactly where to trim each limb to protect against damage. This cut should be done just beyond the branch collar, the specific place where the branch connects to the trunk.
Trimming too close to the branch collar exposes the tree to insects, decay and mildew. Cutting too far away from it leaves a stump when the tree recovers. Most DIY tree trimming leads to an improper cut, leaving either aesthetic or structural problems.
Trimming Large Branches
Branches any larger than 4 inches in diameter really shouldn’t be trimmed unless it is absolutely necessary. Cutting off a branch this large can cause imbalance in the tree and expose it to insects and rot as the tree recovers from such a large loss.
Conservative trimming once each year ensures that the tree service company only has to cut off branches that are 2-3 inches in diameter, which results in a more attractive shape for the tree and less risk of hurting the tree or exposing it to disease and insects.
Topping the Tree
Tree topping is an outdated type of pruning, and for good reason! With this service, tree trimmers would just cut the top off of the tree to achieve the desired height. It was neither attractive nor was it beneficial for the tree, so the vast majority of arborists do not practice tree topping anymore.
As a DIY tree trimming, you may think this is a good way to lower the height of your tree with just one cut, but once you have cut the top of a tree off, there’s virtually no chance it will ever return to a natural shape.
The Solution? Call AL Tree Trimming
Your tree may never recover from poor pruning.
Performing this project yourself might seem like a way to save money, but you could end up with way more expenses trying to revive damaged trees, so it is much safer (and more economical in the long run) to hire a certified arborist in Alabama from AL Tree Trimming.
Limbs will not grow back. The tree will grow more, but not in the same places, which {can lead to|causes odd shapes that could take years to fix. The tree could end up looking bad for the rest of its life, all because of just one pruning mistake.
Improper pruning could also result in death of the tree. Cutting off too many limbs (and, therefore, leaves) can affect the tree’s photosynthesis process, meaning it won’t get enough water or enough sunlight and carbon dioxide to continue healthy growth.
Cutting off too many branches might also send the tree into a state of shock. Shock isn’t always permanent, but it does take a great deal of patience and care. Even with the right care, a tree undergoing shock may still die.
Avoid all of these tree pruning mistakes and call AL Tree Trimming to speak with a tree care specialist in Alabama able to come up with a long-term plan to ensure your tree continues blossoming and looking beautiful for years to come!
