Correct tree trimming is essential to maintaining the longevity of a tree. While nature’s way of corrective pruning eventually proves true, doing it yourself provides a faster turnaround time. If you are not pruning your trees, it is best to let the leading tree service in Largo handle your trims with our proper tree trimming techniques.
An incorrect tree trim is worse than no tree trim at all. Depending on the placement of a wrong cut, the tree could sustain irreversible damage. To ensure a clean slice that won’t harm the tree, always make sure that your tools are sharp and free of rust or dirt.
Whether you are creating a new growth pattern for your tree, cutting for aesthetics, or trimming for structural/utility purposes, you’ll want to focus on the lateral branches. Lateral branches stem from the tree’s trunk and collectively make up most of the grooming process.
The best time to perform corrective pruning is in the late winter when trees are dormant. Removing dead branches at the end of winter protects the tree’s energy from not being further wasted. In addition, making cuts before spring means the tree will be ready for bloom when warmer weather arrives.
Crown Thinning
Crown thinning is a form of corrective pruning that restores the tree to its ideal shape. This type of trimming is not complex and creates cohesiveness through a topiary. Proper airflow and space placement is the goal of healthy crown thinning (Note- Crown thinning is not the same as topping, which is an undesirable practice).
One should make cuts at the branch collar of the tree to branches that are sloped downward. Drooping branches, also known as hangars, are easily detectable. Do not cut more than a quarter of the base off the stem, as cutting more could puncture the stem tissue. Even though crown trimming is simple, it’s one of many proper tree trimming techniques that should be practiced with care.
Cutting back
Cutting back is a term similar to deadheading, but applies to flowering trees. This type of pruning is beneficial for trees that carry shoots (or blossom) and is a preventative measure to establish new growth patterns. Proper pruning technique is vital so as not to harm budding vegetation.
When cutting back the terminal growth of the shoot, cuts should be inwards of the branch collar. Cutting too far out will result in stub cuts, which makes it hard for the tree to decipher if it is healing from a cut or trying to grow a new branch.
Wound Care
Wound care aims to correct harmed areas of the tree by cutting locations of infection and improper growth. Treating tree wounds should be handled immediately not to cause the spread of infection. If left unattended, decay can rot the tree and kill it slowly.
Never bark-rip a tree, even if the wound appears to be at the surface. Trim the tree down to its branch collar and monitor growth over the next couple of months to ensure it is growing correctly. If the wound is on the base of the tree, the help of a professional is necessary.
For further inquiries about proper tree trimming techniques, contact Stevens Tree Service in Tampa Bay. Our family-owned business has aided trees for over 50 years in Pinellas County. We treat every tree with cutting-edge technology and extensive arboreal expertise.
We are members of the International Society of Arboriculture, Community Associations Institute, and the Tree Care Industry Association. Any of our three fully staffed crews offer residential and commercial tree services. Learn more about the right way to trim and prune trees or call us today at (727) 734-TREE (8733) for a free estimate!
