Tree Trimming Guide
Tree pruning is not a one-time event in your tree's life. It should be done throughout your tree's life to ensure its overall health. It is crucial to plant the right tree for your region and weather condition, then perform pruning in the early years of the tree's life. You may be aware that pruning while in a dormant state is the most common practice as it typically leads to a better growth come the spring season.
There are essential steps you need to follow to ensure you are not making the wrong cuts and getting rid of too much of the tree's canopy. Below are the ABCs of the pruning process to help you with your DIY tree pruning. Let's get started on your tree pruning.
Step A: Assess the Tree
Step B: Eliminate the Bad Branches
Step C: Get rid of the Competing Branches
Using prudent effort and the right equipment, we can make ensure a successful pruning process.
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There are essential steps you need to follow to ensure you are not making the wrong cuts and getting rid of too much of the tree's canopy. Below are the ABCs of the pruning process to help you with your DIY tree pruning. Let's get started on your tree pruning.
Step A: Assess the Tree
- Take time to inspect if the tree is growing. Assess if the tree is developing healthily.
- Is there a desired form for the tree, depending on where it's located or on human activities performed around it?
- Take note of the species of the tree and its natural form. Whether the tree is a shade tree or an ornamental tree will say a lot about how you should prune it.
Step B: Eliminate the Bad Branches
- Before you get to the more serious pruning, begin by removing the bad, damaged, and diseased branches of the tree.
- Then, locate the rubbing branches or those that are attached weakly to the main branch.
- If you haven't gone beyond the allowable limit for tree pruning in one session, then you can continue.
Step C: Get rid of the Competing Branches
- After finding out where the leader branch is, it is time to get rid of the competing branches
- Co-dominant stems- Remove this branch entirely and make the cut as small as possible.
- Competing laterals- These branches grow at the same height as the central branch and have shoots that grow upward.
- Look for branches that join the trunk in the same area. Remove each one, beginning with the largest one, every year.
- Think about clearing the lower third of the tree's overall height. They may need to be shortened to allow clearance for passing vehicles and pedestrians.
- Consider cutting crossing branches to enhance branch spacing. Keep in mind that every cut is an opportunity to enhance the aesthetics and the health of the tree and to assess it altogether.
Using prudent effort and the right equipment, we can make ensure a successful pruning process.
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