Pruning young trees is important to their future growth and health. Your trees are a valuable asset on your property and you want to ensure that you’re performing proper tree pruning so that you can sustain their longevity.
We know that pruning is not always on the radar when a tree is in its beginning stages, but the importance of pruning starts early on.
In this article, we’ll explain some of the benefits of pruning and why it’s valuable when trees are young. Specifically, structural pruning can start when trees are in early stages of growth. Pruning young trees can be different than pruning mature trees.
In this article, we will cover:
What is Structural Pruning? (How to Train Tree Branches)
Why is Structural Pruning Important Early On?
What are the Benefits of Pruning Trees?
When to Start Pruning Young Trees?
Choosing Tree Care in Southern NH, Northeastern Massachusetts, and Southern Maine
What is Structural Pruning? (How to Train Tree Branches)
Structure pruning is focused on controlling the way that a young tree grows using what might be called “tree training techniques.” When you structurally prune a young tree, you are being highly selective about which branches are removed in order to improve the overall architecture of the tree and the way it’s growing.
It’s a lot easier (and more cost effective) to fix the overall structure of a tree and impact its development when it’s young, than trying to make changes when the tree is mature.
Why is Structure Pruning Important Early On?
When a tree is young, you have a unique opportunity to fix small problems before they become big ones. Carefully removing a diseased branch early on will give the tree plenty of time to heal as it grows.
You can have much greater control over the way a tree grows and the shape it takes. It would be much more challenging to remove a large limb of a mature tree, as it might make the tree look unbalanced (plus it’s going to be a significant cut for the tree to heal from).
What are the Benefits of Pruning Trees?
As we’ve mentioned, one of the benefits of pruning trees is that it will improve the overall structure. This is especially important when a tree is young and still maturing.
When you start structure pruning early on, you have much more control. This is important as even one weak limb can affect your tree’s total health.
Strategic pruning can also improve the airflow throughout the tree, which is important as poor airflow can be the cause of a lot of disease. Fixing that early on is helpful. Issues like water shoots - where a branch is tightly rubbing another branch - can also be avoided before becoming a larger problem to the tree’s health.
In addition, you want to look at fixing a tree that is off balance with early structure pruning. You don’t want a tree to be weighted more to one side as that can become an issue during the storm.
As the tree grows, there are various structural methods for pruning depending on your goals. Pruning should always involve removing dead, dying, or diseased branches to improve the overall health of the tree. But people also prune for aesthetic benefits and safety reasons.
When to Start Pruning Young Trees?
When to start pruning needs to be decided on a case-by-case (or “tree-by-tree” basis). But often, the landscaper who installed the tree might have a one-year guarantee, in which you’ll want to be cautious about doing anything to void the warranty.
If there are obvious dead, dying, decaying, or diseased small branches that need to be removed, those might be necessary to prune. Make note of any struggling branches so they can be pruned in the winter during the tree's dormancy to cause less stress.
Generally, you’ll start more serious structural pruning in the second year. At this time, the tree will be more established and have overcome some of the transplant shock and stress that can occur. You just don’t want to put extra stress on a tree before it’s ready.
Choosing Tree Care in Southern NH, Northeastern Massachusetts, and Southern Maine
There are plenty of companies in our region that offer tree care services. But you want to be selective about choosing a company that you feel confident is qualified for the work. Seeking out companies with Certified Arborists can help ensure that you’re going to get the best results.
It also helps to seek companies that truly focus on tree care. There are many companies that aim to be a “jack of all trades,” but that can mean they don’t have true expertise in any one area.
Even some supposed “pros” can make pruning mistakes that can be detrimental to a tree’s health.
At Seacoast Tree Care, our focus is on trees (as our name implies!). We are experts in the field and we’ve been doing this for a long time.
Ultimately, you want to find a company that has your best interest at heart and that you can build a long-term relationship with. Your property requires ongoing care and it’d be great to partner with a company that you trust.
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.
