Tree pruning is best left to the pros. It’s a dangerous job, climbing trees, wielding 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 correctly can sustain a lifetime of damage.
Rather than putting yourself and the tree itself at risk, enlist someone who is trained and experienced to do the job for you.
This will lead to much healthier trees and a safer environment around your home for many reasons:
- Healthy trees are sturdier and not as likely to cause damage during storms
- Cared for trees don’t attract or spread diseases and parasites
- Trimmed trees produce more flowers or fruit
- Pruned trees offer shade while still allowing air to flow throughout their canopies and your landscaping
CA Tree Trimming highly suggests pruning trees that are near your home or any that are an integral part of your landscape.
Is Tree Trimming Necessary?
It is not necessary. But it is important. Trees are hardy and survive on their own across the world, in various different climates and regions, without trimming.
However, there are a lot of benefits of professional tree trimming, so it’s recommended for any trees that you value. This can include sentimental trees, fruit trees and flowering trees or trees that offer an important service for your home, such as shade or home to wildlife.
Tree Trimming Gone Wrong
Pruning a tree is a difficult project. You are going to need the right tools and a lot of information to ensure the job is done correctly. The majority of homeowners don’t have either of these!
But that’s alright, because there are a lot of companies out there who know how to properly trim trees for an affordable price to you including all arborists in California we work with!
Here are the 5 most common mistakes people make when they attempt DIY tree pruning that can lead to many tree problems. These are things that an experienced arborist from CA Tree Trimming will know, and that’s the reason why their services are worth the price!
Pruning Too Much
When done properly, pruning is a never-ending process. Beginning when your trees are just 2 or 3 years old, they should be looked after by a professional if you value them and want to keep them healthy.
A huge mistake people often make when trimming trees by themselves is trimming too much of the tree all at once. This occurs because they have let the tree’s growth get out of hand and try to correct it all immediately. Ideally, you should only cut off 5-20% of the tree’s crown at the final removal cut. It is easier to do this during a time of year that the leaves are off, but an experienced arborist is able to properly prune trees any time of year.
Cutting at the Wrong Place
A trained tree specialist knows 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 has recovered. Most DIY tree trimming results in an improper cut, leaving either structural or aesthetic issues.
Pruning Large Branches
Branches larger than 4 inches in diameter really shouldn’t be pruned unless it is absolutely necessary. Cutting off a branch of this size can result in imbalance in the tree and expose it to insects and decay as the tree recovers from losing such a large branch.
Conservative pruning every year ensures that the company only has to cut off branches that are 2-3 inches in diameter, which results in a more attractive shape for the tree and less risk of hurting the tree or exposing it to disease and pests.
Topping the Tree
Tree topping is an outdated type of pruning, and for good reason! With this service, arborists would just 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 arborists do not practice tree topping anymore.
As a DIY tree pruning, you might think this is a good way to reduce the height of your tree with just a single cut, but once you have cut off the top of a tree, there’s virtually no chance that it will ever regain a natural shape.
The Solution? Call CA Tree Trimming
Here’s the truth. Your tree may never recover from poor trimming.
Attempting this project yourself might seem like a way to save a little money, but you could end up with way more expenses trying to revive damaged trees, so it’s a lot safer (and more economical in the long run) to hire a certified arborist in California from CA Tree Trimming.
Limbs don’t grow back. The tree will grow more, but it will not grow back in the same places, which can lead to odd shapes that might take years to fix. The tree might look bad for the remainder of its life, all because of just one trimming error.
Incorrect pruning could also cause death of the tree. Cutting off too many branches (and, therefore, leaves) can alter the tree’s photosynthesis process, meaning it won’t get all of the water it needs or enough carbon dioxide and sunlight to continue healthy growth.
Cutting off too many branches can also send the tree into a state of shock. Shock can be overcome, but it does take a great deal of patience and care. Even with proper maintenance, a tree undergoing shock may still die.
Avoid all of these tree trimming mistakes and call CA Tree Trimming to speak with a tree care specialist in California able to customize a plan to ensure your tree continues to blossom and look beautiful for years to come!
