We love our trees for their abilities to create fresher, cleaner air, protect our properties from storms, provide shade, and even give us the occasional apple or orange. Keeping your trees healthy, however, takes more work than people realize.
Trees in the wild have the freedom to spread as much as they want, but our backyard trees benefit from trimming and pruning. Many people ask, “What is tree pruning?” While one function of tree pruning is to make your trees look nicer, many other benefits exist too.
This blog will explore the benefits and methods of tree trimming and pruning and explain why you should contact tree service experts in Gulfport, MS.
Pruning and Tree Trimming Benefits
Pruning and trimming offer multiple benefits while promoting healthy trees. Some of these benefits are:
- Eliminating safety risks: Dead or broken branches can fall from above. You’ll want to stop a tree from growing too close to your roof or powerlines. For business owners, controlling a tree’s growth also prevents liability claims.
- Promoting healthier trees: Just like cutting wilted leaves off a flower, you’ll want to cut off dead branches from a tree. Besides dead branches looking unsightly, they can also affect the rest of the tree. For example, diseased branches will spread their sickness to the rest of the tree.
- Changing the look of your tree: Pruning, in particular, will shape the way your tree looks. Besides having a nicer-looking tree, shaping your tree’s form also eliminates dead branches.
- Reducing pest infestations: It’s normal for insects and squirrels to call your tree home, and these critters typically add a certain charm. Nasty insects and rodents, however, don’t, but eliminating dead and diseased branches means eliminating the threat of unwanted pests.
What Are Some of the Different Tree Pruning Methods?
Answering the question, “What is tree pruning?” requires knowing different proven methods. While techniques like topiary pruning can turn trees or shrubs into elaborate shapes like spheres, these methods require high maintenance and are unsafe.
Instead, it’s better to use safe techniques that alter a tree’s shape while promoting healthy growth. In general, four proper tree pruning methods exist:
1. Cleaning
Cleaning primarily targets damaged, diseased, or dead tree branches. However, this method may also target overcrowded or overgrown branches.
2. Reduction
Reduction essentially reduces your tree’s overall size and height. This method is beneficial for creating more clearance when a tree grows too close to powerlines or buildings.
While this method is often necessary, it can also easily damage a tree’s branch collar, resulting in decays and cracks. A professional arborist will carry out this method correctly.
3. Thinning
The thinning method enhances your tree’s ability to bring in more air and light penetration. Thinning opens up your tree’s foliage and reduces the heft of its heaviest branches while keeping your tree’s natural shape.
4. Raising
The raising tree method means you’re essentially raising your tree’s crown. This process involves eliminating your tree’s lower branches, giving more room for pedestrians, buildings, vehicles, powerlines, etc. Besides reducing the risk of damages, raising also grants better views.
However, one drawback of raising is that it can sometimes leave wounds or marks on your tree’s trunk.
Call Professional Tree Service Today
Properly looking after your trees takes more work than some people realize. Unfortunately, incorrectly caring for your trees may result in irrevisable damage. Whether you’re unsure how to prune your trees or don’t have the time, let Professional Tree Service help.
Gets answers to questions like “What is tree pruning?” or read this summer tree watering guide to learn more about proper tree care. Then, call Professional Tree Service at (228) 669-9388 to get a free quote!