Trimming and pruning a tree can make a big difference to its health and appearance. It can also significantly damage or even kill the tree if you make certain pruning mistakes.
Knowing how to trim a tree without killing it helps your landscape look its best, without issues that eventually lead to total removal. In many cases, it’s best to leave the work to an Yukon tree service and professional arborists, who have the knowledge and tools to cut branches safely. However, if you need to remove a branch immediately, or want to know more about proper pruning technique, keep these tips in mind.
Mistakes To Avoid When Pruning a Tree
As with most things, pruning mistakes start with good intentions. After all, no one who sets out to cut back overgrown branches does so with the intention of killing the tree. That’s why these tips and learning how to trim a tree without killing it is so important. By following them, you won’t inadvertently do something that causes more harm than good.
Don’t Trim at the Wrong Time
The winter months are the best time to trim a tree. Not only are trees less vulnerable to pests and disease when the temperature drops, but cuts made in the winter heal faster. Also, because trimming stimulates new growth, it’s best to cut branches before the spring bud season, rather than in the fall when the tender new growth is at risk of freezing and dying.
Don’t Use the Wrong Tools
As a general rule, the larger the branch you plan to cut, the more powerful the tool you should use. Attempting to cut a thick limb with a small lopper or handsaw, for example, will likely result in a ragged cut that puts the tree at risk. Make sure all your tools are sharp before cutting to make the job easier and ensure clean pruning cuts.
Don’t Prune Excessively
One of the most harmful tree trimming mistakes is over-pruning branches, which can cause a variety of problems that will eventually kill the tree. For instance, removing most of the inner branches and only leaving foliage at the ends of the branches changes the tree structure and leaves it vulnerable to falling over, causes new growth to be weak, and increases the risk of damage due to freezing or sun scalding.
Therefore, as a general rule, you should prune no more than 15% of the foliage, focusing on dead or dying branches, small clustered branches that need thinning, and branches that are creating danger by hanging over your home or the sidewalk.
Protect Your Trees With Professional Pruning
If you’re apprehensive about cutting back your trees, get help from the professionals at Arbor Image Tree Care by calling (405) 815-7959. Our team knows how to trim a tree without killing it, so you can feel confident that every tree in your yard is healthy and strong. Contact us today to take care of your Yukon, OK, property.