We know that people don't always give a lot of thought to proper tree pruning practices. But it’s important to know that making strategic cuts to your tree can be incredibly beneficial to its health.
On the flip side, improper practices can actually harm the health of your trees.
In this article, we’ll talk about some of the proper tree pruning techniques so that you’re an educated consumer of these services. Unfortunately, even some pros don’t always get it right.
Understanding Different Tree Pruning Methods
Tree pruning is the process of removing specific branches in order to benefit the tree as a whole. While that’s the basic definition, people don’t always realize that there are different tree pruning methods depending on what your goals for your tree are as well as what might be going on with it.
Here are four different tree pruning techniques.
- Crown Cleaning: With crown cleaning, the goal is to identify the dying, dead, or diseased branches and remove them. This prevents future problems including the spread of decay. This is considered one of the most basic and common forms of tree pruning and it serves a very vital purpose.
- Crown Thinning: This is similar to crown cleaning in that we are still removing dying, dead, or diseased branches, however, on top of that, this tree pruning method also aims to reduce the weight of the tree. That means that some strategically-selected live limbs may also be removed. One reason to perform crown thinning is to improve sunlight filtration. It can also reduce the risk of the tree uprooting during a storm.
- Crown Raising: During crown raising, our goal is to remove lower limbs. This is very purposeful if lower limbs are causing problems. When crown raising is performed on a younger tree, you can prevent a lower limb from becoming a problem in the first place (such as hanging over a sidewalk or street).
- Crown Reduction: This is essentially a combination of thinning and cleaning, however, the goal is to reduce the overall height and spread of the tree. This would be a tree pruning method needed if the tree is getting too big for the area where it’s planted and needs to be scaled back.
The Importance of Proper Tree Pruning Practices
No matter which tree pruning method you’re having done, it’s absolutely imperative that it’s done right. Pruning needs to be executed with a plan in place (not just haphazardly making cuts). Tree pruning errors can be detrimental to a tree’s health.
It’s important to know that one outdated tree pruning practice is called “Tree Topping.” This basically involves exactly what the name says…cutting the top of the tree off. This is also sometimes called “heading” a tree.
This is an outdated practice but unfortunately, we still see it being done. People will have this service performed when they believe a tree has grown too large or is at risk of falling. But tree topping can actually create greater risk.
This practice can lead to decay and put extreme stress on the tree. It can result in disease and insect infestations and frankly, it’s just plain ugly.
If your tree has grown too large, the proper tree pruning practice is crown reduction. But crown reduction still needs to be performed with precision as removing too many live limbs can kill a tree.
A Wise Choice in Tree Services in Southern NH, ME, and MA
Improper tree pruning can truly be detrimental to your tree. There is often more to tree pruning in New England than people tend to realize. It is truly both an art and a science.
This is why it’s so important that you’re working with well-trained tree services in Southern NH, ME, and MA in order to make sure that your tree pruning is performed correctly.
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.
