Tree pruning is best left to experienced professionals. It’s dangerous work, climbing high up trees, using chainsaws and dropping heavy branches to the ground; and it can be dangerous for the tree as well. Trees that are improperly pruned can sustain a lifetime of damage.
Instead of putting yourself in harm’s way and putting the tree at risk, call a professional who is knowledgeable and experienced to do it for you.
This will lead to much healthier trees and a safer environment near your house for many reasons:
- Healthy trees are stronger and less likely to cause damage during storms
- Maintained trees won’t attract or spread parasites and diseases
- Pruned trees grow more flowers or fruit
- Pruned trees provide shade while still allowing air to flow through their canopies and your landscaping
MD Tree Trimming highly recommends pruning trees that are very close to your house or any that are an integral part of your property.
Is Tree Trimming Necessary?
It is not required. But it is beneficial. Trees are very strong and grow on their own across the world, in a variety of different climates and regions, without pruning.
However, there are many benefits of professional tree trimming, so it’s highly recommended for trees that you care about. This can include sentimental trees, fruit trees and blossoming trees or trees that offer an important job for your home, such as shade or home to wildlife.
Tree Pruning Gone Wrong
Tree pruning is a complicated task. You are going to need the right tools and a lot of knowledge to guarantee the job is done right. The vast majority of homeowners don’t have either of these!
But that’s not a problem, because there are many companies available who know how to properly trim trees for an affordable cost to you including all of the certified arborists throughout Maryland we team up with!
Below are the 5 most common mistakes people make when attempting DIY tree pruning that can lead to many tree problems. These are things that a certified arborist from MD Tree Trimming will know, and that’s exactly why their services are worth the price!
Pruning Too Much
When done properly, pruning is an ongoing process. Beginning when your trees are just 2 or 3 years old, they should be care for by a professional if you value them and intend to keep them strong and healthy.
A huge mistake that people often make when trimming trees by themselves is trimming too much of the tree at a time. This occurs because they let the tree’s growth get out of control and try to fix it all at once. Ideally, you should not cut off more than 5-20% of the tree’s crown at the final removal cut. It is much easier to do this during a season that the leaves are off, but a certified arborist is able to safely trim trees any time of year.
Pruning in the Wrong Place
A trained arborist knows exactly where to trim each limb to protect against damage. This cut should be made just beyond the branch collar, the exact place where the branch connects to the trunk.
Cutting too close to the branch collar exposes the tree to insects, decay and mildew. Cutting too far from it leaves an unsightly stump when the tree has recovered. Most DIY tree trimming results in an improper cut, leaving either aesthetic or structural problems.
Pruning Big Branches
Branches larger than 4 inches in diameter really shouldn’t be trimmed unless it is necessary. Cutting off a branch this large can result in imbalance in the tree and expose it to pests and rodents and decay as the tree recovers from losing such a big branch.
Conservative pruning once each year ensures that the company only has to remove branches that are 2-3 inches in diameter, which produces a more attractive shape for the tree and less chance of harming the tree or exposing it to decay and insects.
Topping the Tree
Tree topping is an outdated type of pruning, and for good reason! In this service, tree trimming companies would cut the top off of the tree to achieve the desired height. It was not attractive nor was it beneficial for the tree, so the vast majority of arborists do not practice tree topping anymore.
During DIY tree pruning, you may think this is an easy way to reduce the height of your tree with just one cut, but once you have cut off the top of a tree, there’s almost no chance it will ever regain a natural shape.
The Solution? Call MD Tree Trimming
Let’s face it. Your tree may never recover from bad pruning.
Performing this job 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 really safer (and more economical in the long run) to hire a certified arborist in Maryland from MD Tree Trimming.
Limbs aren’t going to grow back. The tree will grow more, but it will not grow back in the same places, which can lead to odd shapes that could require years to correct. The tree could look bad for the remainder of its life, all because of a single pruning error.
Incorrect trimming could also cause death of the tree. Removing too many limbs (and, therefore, leaves) can affect the tree’s photosynthesis process, meaning it won’t get all of the water it needs or enough sunlight and carbon dioxide to continue growing.
Cutting too many branches can also send the tree into a state of shock. Shock isn’t necessarily permanent, but it takes a lot of care and patience. Even with the right maintenance, a tree undergoing shock may still die.
Avoid all of these tree pruning mistakes and call MD Tree Trimming to speak with a tree care specialist in Maryland able to devise a plan to ensure your tree continues to blossom and look beautiful for years to come!
