Different Pruning Techniques
Proper pruning can help ensure the health and longevity of your trees, as well as improve their appearance. But not all trees are pruned in the same way. Different trees require different techniques, and it is essential to know which method to use for each type of tree.
There are many different types of tree trimming, each with its benefits. Here are some of the most common types:
- Crown Thinning – reduces the tree’s canopy’s overall weight to prevent the tree from toppling over in high winds.
- Crown Reduction – reduces the tree’s height, improves its appearance, reduces leaves production, or damages to nearby structures.
- Deadwood Removal – removes any dead or dying branches from the tree and improves its overall health and appearance.
- Fruit Tree Pruning – improves the yield of fruit trees.
- Branch Pruning – removes individual branches from a tree.
Here are a few tips to consider when pruning trees:
- Inspect your trees for any damage, which includes broken branches, cracks in the bark, or damage to the roots.
- Prune away dead or damaged branches, to allow the tree to direct its energy to the healthier parts and prevent spread of diseases.
- Trim back branches crossing or rubbing against each other to reduce damage to the back and leaves.
- When pruning, cut at a 45-degree angle just above a healthy bud to help the tree heal quickly and prevent water from pooling in the cut area.
- If you have a lot of dead or damaged branches, it may be best to hire a professional arborist to do the job. They will have the proper tools and knowledge to safely and effectively prune your trees.
Correct timing of pruning can minimize damage and stress to your trees and help them to heal more quickly. Below are some tips to help you correctly time your tree trimming:
Winter Pruning
As the weather cools and days become shorter, trees enter a period of dormancy when their growth slows down as they prepare for winter.
And this is the perfect time to remove dead, diseased, damaged and some unwanted live branches.
Why Prune in Winter
- The dormant period gives trees time to heal the cuts before warmer weather brings out diseases and insects.
- Trees have fewer leaves during the dominant season which makes it easier to spot dead or broken branches for precise cuts.
Pruning Before Spring
If you have a tree prone to bleeding (such as maple), you should prune it before new growth begins in the spring.
Pruning in Late Summer
If you have a tree susceptible to storm damage, you may want to prune it in the late summer or early fall, before the hurricane season begins.
Pruning Flowering Plants
Your flowering plants need pruning to encourage blooming and allow new growth. The best time to prune your flowering vines, shrubs, and trees is after they finish blooming so as not to cut the flower for the season.
Tree Trimming in Early Springs
You can remove some dead, damaged, overgrown, or drying branches in early spring! Just be sure to wait until the last frost has passed in your area to ensure the trees are healthy enough to handle the stress.
Here are a few reasons why pruning is a good idea:
- Improved overall health
Pruning can help remove diseased or damaged branches that can sap the tree’s strength and energy. It allows the tree to focus its energy on remaining healthy and strong.
- Encourage new growth
Trees stimulate new growth after pruning to fill in any bare spots or gaps left by removed branches.
- Size control
Prune overgrown shrubs to bring it back to scale, large shade trees to cast less of a shadow, or fruit trees to make care and harvesting easier.
Most Asked Questions
Can Trees Die from Pruning?
Yes, trees could die if the pruning is done wrong, at the wrong place, or at the wrong time.
How Much Does Pruning Service Cost?
It costs homeowners $450 on average, but the price can go as low as $85 for small trees and $1267 for large trees.
When Should You Prune Willow Tree?
Most willow trees will sap when pruned while actively growing; winter is the recommended time.
When Should You Prune Apple Tree?
Prune your standard apple trees between November and March in winter and the trained ones in summer.
Contact Mendham Garden Center for all of your tree trimming needs!