Tree pruning in Alabama is a professional service that can beautify and reinforce trees so they are able to withstand insects, diseases and inclement weather – and look wonderful doing it!
Pruning needs to be done if you want healthy trees, but it has to be done correctly by someone who has experience in what they’re doing. Like a certified arborist from AL Tree Trimming. You may be able to prune and trim trees safely while they are small and developing, but you also may be doing irreparable damage to the tree.
To safely prune trees, you must know all of the following:
- When to prune your types of trees
- How much of the tree should be pruned at at once
- Where to cut each branch so you do not damage the tree
Taking too much off of a tree can kill it or lead to structural damage, but precise pruning done annually benefits trees in many ways. Pruning improves the appearance of trees, makes them healthier, eliminates dying or diseased portions and expedites fruit or flower production.
Ideally, pruning needs to be completed annually, but as trees mature, you may be able to wait two years between major pruning services. Regardless of how routinely you have your trees pruned, make sure your arborist is qualified to do the type of tree pruning your trees need. This won’t be an issue if you call AL Tree Trimming in Alabama!
Types of Tree Pruning Methods
There are 7 ways to correctly prune a tree so that it grows healthier and stronger year after year.
Depending on the shape, type and health concerns of your trees, one pruning method may be more effective than another, but each technique has distinct benefits to consider.
Crown Thinning Your Trees
Crown thinning is common for older, overgrown trees in Alabama. This method removes weak branches within the crown to allow more sunlight and air flow throughout the crown. Air flow is especially important to help prevent disease.
This tree pruning technique also removes branches that are touching so they do not rub against each other and break or create weakened areas that can be an entry point for pests. Limbs that grow at strange angles are almost always cut off during crown thinning.
Crown Raising Your Trees
This tree trimming technique removes branches at the lower part of the crown so new limbs start higher up on the trunk of the tree. Letting low branches get too big makes them difficult to cut off, and they can pull nutrients from the top of the tree, which leads to less fruit and a weak tree.
There are several reasons you might decide to raise the crown of a tree. Often, it is done in order to clear the line of sight for automobiles and pedestrians, but it can also be done to make space for landscaping underneath the tree.
It is a very common technique for large trees that are close to homes and other buildings.
Crown Reduction
Crown reduction lowers the total size of the crown from its exterior edges. It shortens limbs vertically and horizontally to keep the tree at a certain size. By reducing the crown size, you can eliminate the need to chop down the tree because it will no longer come into contact with traffic lights, power lines or street lights.
Even if the tree isn’t close to structures like those listed above, crown reduction will make the tree look neater because it eliminates irregular growth. This is a smart idea for trees that are different ages but are supposed to look consistent.
Crown Cleaning
Sometimes known as deadwood pruning, crown cleaning is a minimally invasive type of tree pruning method that removes dead, snapped or diseased branches so that the {rest|remaining parts of the tree will grow normally. These branches can only create problems later.
Crown cleaning helps to make the tree look a lot better, and it prevents branches from rubbing together. And it is a safety practice that reduces the chance of falling branches, because healthy branches do not fall very often.
Crown Restoration
Crown restoration is an intense pruning process used on trees that have been significantly damaged (either by weather or vandals). It should only be done by an experienced arborist who knows where the tree is likely to grow in the future and just how long its restoration will take.
Unlike most other tree pruning services, crown restoration occurs throughout an extended time period with conservative pruning that reshapes the tree. The arborist will have a definitive plan to restore the tree, but also be flexible as the tree begins to grow and reshape on its own, adapting to the tree’s new growth.
Vista Pruning
If you want trees that add to the beauty of your landscaping, you are probably interested in vista pruning. The goal of vista pruning is to make the tree more visually pleasing from a particular viewing point.
It consists of several tree trimming techniques including crown thinning, crown cleaning and crown reduction – any technique that makes the trees look more attractive. Remember, though, that a professional is not going to sacrifice the health of a tree, so the focus of vista pruning is to maintain strong, healthy trees.
Espalier Pruning
Espaliered trees are pruned heavily to grow flat up against a wall or a trellis. It is a unique style of tree pruning that is going to attract a lot of attention to your lawn. Espalier pruning should be started when the tree is young and then done routinely during the tree’s life span.
of espalier pruning include allowing maximum sunlight to get to the trees, as well as making it exceptionally easier to harvest fruit.
Professional Tree Pruning in Alabama
Tree trimming can be harmful to a tree, your landscaping, and, of course, for you! AL Tree Trimming highly encourages professional tree trimming over attempting DIY.
Besides the possible dangers of tree trimming, you can do a lot of damage to a tree if you don’t know how to trim it properly. Over-pruning is one of the most common mistakes made by homeowners maintaining their own trees.
Trees in Alabama that get routine care from a professionals are much better off, and hiring an experienced arborist from AL Tree Trimming to trim the trees on your property is a decision you won’t regret. Locate your city in our service area. We work with arborists throughout the entire state of Alabama!
