Is the tree next to your commercial property starting to look a bit wild? If so, it’s time to grab your trimmers and give the tree some TLC!
Word of warning, though: do your research before you start chopping. Tree trimming may seem simple, but doing it poorly can cause lasting damage. That’s particularly true if you have no trimming experience.
Want to make sure you’ll trim your commercial tree properly? Start by avoiding these seven commercial tree trimming mistakes at all costs!
1. Tree Topping
These days, tree topping is a bit of an outdated trimming practice. There’s a good reason for that: it’s one of the worst things you can do to a tree.
Topping involves cutting a tree’s trunk somewhere below its apex. That’s the simplest way to reduce the height of a tree that’s grown out of its space. It also causes undue stress to the tree and makes it more likely to topple.
See, the trunk is the most important part of any tree. If you top it, you’ll never be able to restore it to its natural shape. Instead, you’ll get several spindly branches known as water sprouts growing at the top.
Beyond being susceptible to breaking, these branches will also need trimming later on. In the meantime, they’ll allow strong sunlight to enter the tree, which may lead to sunscald and peeling bark.
2. Excessive Trimming
One trimming mistake many people make is that they trim too much. You can always take off more, but you can’t put those branches back.
Why is this important? For starters, every cut impacts the tree’s ability to heal, grow, and absorb sunlight. Removing branches can also lead to limb death and invite wood-decaying fungus.
In general, you should only cut dying branches, tree suckers, and branches growing down or inward. Not sure how to identify these branches? Consider hiring a professional tree service to handle the trimming.
Also, don’t try to cut off more than 20% of the tree’s crown during a trim. That’s why tree trimming is best done as a long-term practice. Letting your tree grow out of control and trying to fix it all at once is unlikely to work.
3. Lion Tailing
Do you know how some trees have thin canopies and many visible interior branches? Well, these trees have likely been victims of lion tailing.
Lion tailing consists of making the tree look like a tuft at the end of a lion’s tail. It’s done by removing the low branches and leaving the ones at the top. Unfortunately, gutting the tree of its interior makes it far more fragile.
The more foliage you remove from a tree, the more its crown is open to damage from the sun and wind. Without its flexible and protective form, a lion-tailed tree is more likely to get damaged in winter.
4. Trimming Large Branches
A proper tree-trimming process requires a lot of research. You should know which branches to cut, how much to trim, and what angle to cut at.
One thing many people struggle with is trimming large branches. For best results, avoid trimming branches larger than 4 inches in diameter. Doing so can cause an imbalance in the tree and expose it to insects and pests.
That’s another reason why annual trimming makes sense. Doing things that way means your company will only have to trim smaller branches. On top of keeping the tree healthy, this will produce a more attractive shape.
5. Using the Wrong Tools
Using the right tree-trimming equipment is essential for any trimming task. The most common trimming tools are shears, saws, loppers, and chainsaws.
Pick your tools based on the size of the tree’s branches. For instance, shears are great for simple cuts on bushes and thin twigs. Loppers can cut branches that are up to two inches thick, such as the ones on cherry trees.
If you’re struggling to reach some deadwood, use a pole pruner. These tools can extend up to 15 feet and often feature a pruning saw and a bypass blade. Use the blade to trim smaller limbs and the saw for larger ones.
Whatever tools you use, make sure they’re sharp. Using old or dull blades may create rough cuts that will shred the bark. In the long run, these wounds may lead to sunscald or other significant issues.
6. Imprecise Cuts
Having a proper tree trimming technique is essential for trimming. Sharp and precise cuts minimize the damage and allow the tree to heal quickly.
Flush cuts, for example, are always a bad idea. That’s when you cut too close to the trunk, removing the branch collar. Although this cut may look clean, it will create a wound that the tree won’t be able to seal over.
Of course, cutting too far from the trunk introduces other issues. Leaving too much of a dead branch may cause it to decay into the trunk. As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t be able to hang something off the cut branch.
7. Poor Timing
The best season for tree trimming tends to depend on the tree itself. That said, there are some periods where trimming isn’t advisable.
For instance, trimming in the summer exposes the bark to the sun. If your tree is already weak, harsh sunlight may cause other wounds. Those wounds will then attract disease-spreading beetles and other bugs.
Similarly, trimming during the fall may encourage growth that will die in the winter. To avoid wasting your tree’s energy, it’s best to trim it when it’s dormant. For most trees, this period will be November through March.
Avoid These Commercial Tree Trimming Mistakes
The bottom line: tree trimming is a demanding task. Still, the benefits of tree trimming are too numerous to ignore it. If you’re set on doing it yourself, this article can serve as the perfect starting point for your research!
Want to make sure you’ll avoid the common commercial tree trimming mistakes? Our expert arborists can take care of this task for you! Contact us right here to learn more about our services.
