Tree pruning is best left to the pros. It’s a dangerous job, climbing trees, using chainsaws and lowering heavy tree limbs to the ground; and it can also be dangerous for the tree as well. Trees that aren’t pruned properly can experience a lifetime of issues.
Instead of putting yourself in harm’s way and putting the tree at risk, call a professional who is trained and experienced to do the job for you.
This will lead to stronger trees and a safer environment around your landscaping for many reasons:
- Healthier trees are sturdier and not as likely to cause damage during severe storms
- Cared for trees won’t attract or spread parasites and diseases
- Pruned trees grow more flowers or fruit
- Trimmed trees provide shade and allow air to flow through their canopies and your landscaping
AR Tree Trimming highly recommends pruning trees that are very close to your house or those that are a focus of your property.
Is Tree Pruning Necessary?
It is not necessary. But it is important. Trees are resilient and grow on their own everywhere in the world, in a variety of different climates and regions, without trimming.
That said, there are many benefits of tree trimming, so it’s definitely recommended for any trees that you care about. This includes sentimental trees, fruit trees and flowering trees or trees that offer an important job for your house, such as shade or wildlife habitat.
Tree Pruning Gone Wrong
Tree pruning is a complex task. You are going to need the correct tools and a lot of information to guarantee the job is done right. The majority of homeowners don’t have either of these!
But that’s OK, because there are many companies out there who know exactly how to properly trim trees for an affordable cost to you including all arborists throughout Arkansas we partner with!
Here are the 5 most common mistakes people make when attempting DIY tree pruning that can lead to several tree problems. These are things that a professional arborist from AR Tree Trimming will know, and that’s the reason why their services are worth paying for!
Trimming Too Much
When done correctly, tree trimming is a never-ending process. Starting when your trees are just 2 or 3 years old, they should be maintained by an expert if you care about them and want to keep them strong and healthy.
A huge mistake that people often make when trimming trees themselves is cutting too much of the tree at a time. This happens because they let the tree’s growth get out of hand and try to correct it all immediately. Ideally, you should not cut off more than 5-20% of the tree’s crown at the actual removal cut. It is a lot easier to do this during a time of year that there are no leaves, but an experienced arborist is able to safely prune trees any time of year.
Trimming in the Wrong Place
An experienced arborist knows exactly where to cut each limb to protect against damage. This cut should be done just beyond the branch collar, the exact place where the branch connects to the tree trunk.
Trimming too close to the branch collar exposes the tree to pests and decay. Cutting too far from it leaves a stump when the tree recovers. Most DIY tree trimming leads to an improper cut, leaving either structural or aesthetic damage.
Trimming Big Branches
Branches larger than 4 inches in diameter shouldn’t be pruned unless it is necessary. Cutting off a branch of this size can lead to imbalance in the tree and expose it to insects and decay as the tree recovers from losing such a large branch.
Conservative pruning once each year guarantees that your tree trimmer only has to remove branches that are 2-3 inches in diameter, which produces 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! In this process, tree trimming companies would cut the top off of the tree to get the desired height. It was neither attractive nor was it beneficial for the tree, so the vast majority of tree care companies do not practice tree topping anymore.
During DIY tree pruning, you might think this is a good way to lower the height of your tree with only one cut, but once you have cut off the top of a tree, there’s almost no chance that it will ever return to a natural shape.
The Solution? Call AR Tree Trimming
Let’s face it. Your tree may never recover from bad pruning.
Doing this job yourself might seem like a good way to save a little money, but you could end up with way more expenses trying to revive damaged trees, so it’s really safer (and more economical in the long run) to hire a certified arborist in Arkansas from AR Tree Trimming.
Limbs will not grow back. The tree will grow more, but it will not grow back in the same places, which can lead to strange shapes that could take years to fix. The tree might end up looking bad for the remainder of its life, all because of a single pruning mistake.
Improper pruning could also cause death of the tree. Removing too many branches (and, therefore, leaves) can alter the tree’s photosynthesis process, which means it won’t get enough water or enough sunlight and carbon dioxide to continue healthy growth.
Cutting off too many branches could also send the tree into a state of shock. Shock can be overcome, but it takes a lot of care and patience. Even with proper care, a tree experiencing shock may still die.
Avoid all of these tree trimming mistakes and call AR Tree Trimming to speak with a tree care specialist in Arkansas able to come up with a plan to ensure your tree continues to blossom and look beautiful for years to come!
