5 Valuable Tips In Trimming Trees
Like most plants in residential properties, trees require sufficient care and attention. When trees are properly maintained, they grow strong, healthy, and able to provide several useful benefits to your entire property. Besides that, regular tree maintenance also prevents your trees from harming people, plants, and valuable assets around them. While most people can perform basic tree care practices like watering, fertilizing, and adding mulch, other tree maintenance processes can be more challenging. This includes periodic tree trimming or pruning. Small branches and trees can be trimmed by a novice, given the knowledge of proper methods and the right tools. However, large pruning jobs should only be left to a professional. If you’re interested in learning how to trim your small branches and trees, read these valuable tips in trimming trees.
Tip # 1: Know When A DIY Is Possible
If you are trimming a small tree with lightweight branches, then a DIY is very much possible. But, if you’re dealing with large, heavy, and hard-to-reach limbs, it’s best to call for tree trimming services. In addition, pruning trees that are dangerously close to power lines, structures, or your neighbour’s property should never be attempted. In the hands of an inexperienced tree worker, trimming trees could provoke accidents leading to extensive damages and serious injuries.
Tip # 2: Learn When It’s Time To Trim Your Trees
Timing is very important when it comes to trimming trees. It is typically done between late winter and early spring when no leaves in the way and open wounds are less likely to attract pests. Trimming trees while they’re dormant also helps them heal faster and promotes new healthy growth in time for spring. However, if you see signs of death, damage, or disease in any of its branches, get them trimmed by a professional arborist as soon as possible.
Tip # 3: Create A Pruning Plan
Before you start cutting branches off your tree, evaluate its condition and plan the work ahead of you. Identify the dead, diseased, and damaged limbs so you can trim those dangerous parts first. Then, determine which branches are low-hanging or rubbing each other and remove those limbs next. Aside from planning which branches to cut, prepare the tools, you will be using and the safety gear you will be wearing. Also, place safety precautions around your tree, even if it looks small and harmless. Remove any objects or vehicles around or directly under it. Make sure nothing and no one is near your tree while it is being pruned.
Tip # 4: Use The Proper Tools
Using the right tools is important in ensuring safe and efficient trimming work. Make sure you are using clean, sharp, and oiled shears, saws, and other tools necessary for the job at hand. If the job requires a chainsaw, and you are not confident enough to use it, best call a tree care expert to deal with your tree. Not knowing how to use proper pruning tools and equipment could only cause harm to you and your tree.
Tip # 5: Learn The Right Tree Pruning Techniques
Trimming trees takes more than just cutting off unhealthy branches. First of all, only branches with weak, V-shaped, and narrow angles should be removed as they’re more likely to break. You also need to know how to make the right cuts. Leaving a branch too long or too short could lead to tree diseases or prevent it from healing. Be mindful of the angle and location where you’ll be cutting.
For heading cuts on a small branch, make a slanted cut about 1/4 inch above a bud. If the cut is too close, the bud will die, and if the cut is too far, you’ll have a flush-cut or stub of deadwood at the tip of the branch. Make your cuts clean, keep branch collars intact, and avoid jagged edges. They’re not only unattractive but could also affect the healing of your tree. And, if you want to cut large, heavy branches, get help from an experienced arborist. Even after learning the right techniques for trimming trees, there are things only experienced arborists know how to safely and efficiently do.
The Takeaway
Regular tree trimming is a great way to keep receiving the benefits of having healthy trees around your property. It promotes safety, prevents liabilities, and enhances the beauty and value of your home. Moreover, tree trimming can be an enjoyable activity for you to do. Follow these tips in trimming trees to successfully trim small trees on your own. But, again, if your tree and its branches are too large, heavy, or close to utility lines and structures, best to enlist the help of tree care professionals.
At Tall Timbers Tree Service, we have a team of professional arborists with the right knowledge, tools, and experience to safely and properly trim and prune trees. We are trained to detect dying, damaged, or diseased tree limbs and can help you remove them before they begin to cause any problems. With our services, you’ll never have to worry about the health of your trees, plants, and the people around your property. We also offer liability and worker’s compensation insurance so you will remain protected in case an accident happens while we prune your trees. Call us today on 0414 627 627 if you want to learn more tree pruning tips and enlist our tree care services.