The trees on and around your property are a valuable asset and you want to keep them around for years to come. For that reason, it’s important to know how to care for them properly.
While homeowners sometimes assume that trees “take care of themselves,” in reality, keeping a tree in its best health does require some upkeep and care.
One of the most important tasks that you can have done for your trees in New England is regular pruning. In this article, we’ll dive into the importance of this service, including how often to trim trees.
What is Tree Pruning?
Tree pruning refers to the process of removing dead, diseased, or damaged branches in a way that will improve the overall health of your tree.
While we know that people often call this “trimming” (and for the purposes of this article, we’re using this common term), in reality, the term is pruning.
In this article, we explain the difference between trimming vs. pruning. Essentially, trimming refers to “shaping” a small tree, like a hedge, whereas pruning is all about making those strategic cuts to improve the health of the tree.
There are some key benefits to keeping up with pruning. In addition to improving the tree’s health, proper pruning can also make a tree safer. Storms can potentially weaken a tree’s limbs. If that’s the case, those damaged limbs need to be safely removed before they can cause harm.
Tree pruning can also improve the aesthetics of your property. While an overgrown tree can look messy, keeping up with regular pruning can make a difference in the overall appearance of your trees.
How Often Should You Trim Trees
There can be a lot of variation in how often to trim trees based on the species, its condition, and its needs.
In general, tree pruning is more about what the tree needs rather than any set schedule.
As a general rule of thumb, mature trees are typically pruned every 5 to 10 years and younger trees are pruned every 3 to 5 years.
But there can definitely be situations where you might prune outside of those recommendations.
As far as when to prune, most trees in New England can be pruned throughout the year. However, the fall and the winter can be an excellent time to prune trees as they enter into a dormant stage and their growth pauses.
This pause in growth coupled with less harsh temperatures can make it easier for the tree to handle pruning.
Can I Prune My Trees Myself?
You might be wondering if you can tackle DIY pruning to keep up with this service.
While it might seem that pruning is just making some simple cuts, there is much more strategy to it than that. Making pruning mistakes can actually end up damaging your tree and causing significant problems.
There is also quite a bit of risk involved in pruning a tree. You’ll obviously need to climb a ladder while also operating pruning equipment and this can be quite dangerous.
For these reasons, we advise investing in a professional tree service.
You’ll not only get better results, but you’ll eliminate the risk of trying to do this work yourself. You can also rest assured that a professional will already be able to answer questions like, how often to trim trees based on your specific trees’ needs.
Choosing Tree Services in Southern NH, ME, & Northeastern MA
When you make the wise choice to invest in professional tree pruning, you can feel confident that you’re not only going to get the best results but that you will also be removing all of that burden (and risk) from your shoulders.
This is important when it comes to protecting your investment in your New England trees. Soon they will be on their way to better health.
At Seacoast Tree Care, we’re committed to preserving the health and beauty of trees by performing vital services like tree pruning, the right way. When you make a wise choice in tree pruning services, you’ll ultimately take an important step in protecting the value of your property’s trees.
Ready for safer and healthier trees at your Southern NH, ME, or MA home? Request your consultation and get a free quote for tree pruning services. We service properties in and around Stratham, NH, Kittery, ME, and Haverhill, MA. By making a wise choice, you’ll know your trees are in good hands.
