Tree Trimming

Proper tree trimming is essential not only for aesthetics but also for your home’s safety.

When your trees are healthy, the risk of stray branches falling and hurting someone decreases dramatically. When you choose to not use a tree service, though, mistakes can be made. Luckily, we’re here to teach you more.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about tree trimming and the potential mistakes you could be making.

Trimming Random Branches

It’s easy to assume that random branch selection is a good idea when you’re trimming trees, but you’d be incorrect. In fact, if you’re unsure of what to look for when you’re trimming trees, you might find it’s best left to a professional.

They’ll be able to carefully select which branches they choose to remove, how much they should remove, and how they should be removed. They’ll have a solid understanding of your project’s end goal, and they’ll be able to ensure it’s met.

If you don’t have an end goal in mind when you begin trimming, you’re going to have a hard time achieving the results that you want. In fact, you might end up causing more harm to your tree than you ever originally intended to.

Using Dull Tools

When it comes to dull and unsanitized tools, it’s important to keep them away from your trees at all costs. You may not realize it, but these two factors can actually lead to infectious bacteria and fungi spreading through the tree.

This is especially true if a different tree you cut with the same tools was already sick or diseased in some way. Infectious diseases can spread quite easily, and it’s important to prevent them from the beginning.

That means making even cuts with freshly-sharpened tools to help branches heal faster. It also means keeping tools clean between cuts. That doesn’t just apply to your tools, though.

Poor Cleanup

It’s also important to clean up the leftover branches and debris after you’re done trimming.

If you don’t, you risk a lot of unnecessary accidents or even fatalities as a result. You’re also leaving potential infection or disease on your property, meaning its access to your grass, shrubs, or other plants is a lot less limited. As a result, you’ve now placed those plants and the people in your home at risk for things that were easily preventable.

If you choose to hire a professional, they’ll take care of everything for you. You won’t have to worry about potential hazards, and you’ll know everything on your property is even safer than it was before the project even began. 

Trimming the Wrong Amount

When you cut too much or too little, there are a few things that can happen.

If you cut too little, then you’re not going to see any difference. On the other side, cutting too much can put your tree under a lot of stress. They’ll be losing their leaves, which is where the majority of their nutrition and sustenance comes from.

An experienced arborist knows exactly where to cut, and is also going to cut the right amount. That means your trees won’t be placed at risk during harsh weather, and they’ll be able to fend off disease or other risks a lot more easily. Your arborist will set a clear end goal at the beginning of the project, and they’ll have that goal in mind throughout the entirety of their work.

You’ll be left with healthier trees, and a lot more peace of mind.

Incorrect Timing

There’s a time and a place for everything, and tree trimming is no exception. Trimming your trees at the wrong time of year is going to cause potential nutrient and growth issues.

In some cases, trimming when the growing season is at its peak may be ideal. On the other end, trimming when the tree is dormant may be necessary. It all depends on the tree’s individual needs, and it’s important to take them into account when you’re getting started.

Improper timing can lead to stunted growth, and an inability to fend off infection or produce the proper amount of nutrients. This is where working with a trained professional can help, as you’ll no longer need to worry about timing.

They’ll be able to tell you the best time to trim your trees, and they’ll be able to help out every step of the way.

Improper Safety Measures

This is perhaps the biggest reason you should have for wanting to work with a professional. As an expert, arborists know the proper steps to take when it comes to keeping themselves safe on the job. They’ve been trained, and they have a wide array of industry knowledge to help back their efforts.

As a DIYer, you might not have as much education. Tree pruning is more difficult and dangerous than it may seem, and it’s important to stay up-to-date with safety measures and regulations.

Without the proper tools, knowledge, and expertise, you might find yourself in a situation that you never would’ve pictured yourself in by the end of the project.

Do You Need Help With Tree Trimming?

While DIY tree trimming is something a lot of homeowners choose to take on, it’s not for everyone. Hiring a professional can mitigate risks, and it can also save you time and money. They’ll ensure the job gets done correctly the first time around, and you won’t have to worry at all along the way.

Luckily, we can help you every step of the way. Contact us today to get started.

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.

While some trees have been living for over $3,000 years, not every tree needs to stick around that long. And that’s especially true if you have an unhealthy tree or one that poses a threat to your property. Sometimes it’s better to remove a tree if it’s going to do more harm than good.

Curious to learn more? Read on to learn about the benefits of tree removal!

Avoid Potential Property Damage

Do you have tree limbs that hang over your roof? When that tree falls, it could end up costing you thousands of dollars in damages.

A tall tree that hovers too close to your home could be an easy target during a thunderstorm. Or it could be unhealthy and structurally unsound. 

When a tree is unhealthy or unstable, it poses a risk to anyone or anything around it. Even worse, if a summer storm just passed through and brought high winds, your trees might be unstable. If you see missing bark or limbs, it’s wise to take a closer look after the storm is gone.

You may notice that a tree’s roots are pulled from the ground, or you may see gashes. Look for signs of damage to the trunk or a shift in the tree’s position. A leaning tree typically is a sign that tree removal needs to be on the horizon. 

Prevent Injuries or Accidents

The last thing you want to see happen is for a tree to cause an accident. But if you have a tree limb obstructing your view of a busy road, you’re asking for trouble when you back out of the driveway. This is a situation where it makes the most sense to remove a tree.

Tree limbs that hang over driveways or other highly-trafficked areas could fall and cause injuries, as well. Similarly, tree roots that push through your pavement to make it uneven can become tripping hazards. And you might be liable if someone injures themself on your property. 

Tree limbs that interfere with powerlines are another cause for concern. During storms, if those limbs fall, they might take the powerlines with them. This translates into power outages and potential fires. 

Downed powerlines also threaten anyone who happens to walk or drive by them. You’re better off taking preventative action to trim branches before your stormy season. 

Keep Nearby Vegetation Healthy

If you have a dying tree that’s suffering from an infection, that infection could spread to other nearby trees. Diseased trees can compromise the health of any other tree or vegetation around it. 

For instance, fungus on the limb or one tree could be causing it to develop a canker. Since the fungus and canker can cause trees to become brittle and structurally precarious, you need to be alert. Look for brown spots on leaves, rusty colors, or white mold as visual signs.

You may be able to remove an infected limb to prevent fungus or other diseases from spreading. But you should talk with a certified arborist first to make the right decision. You want to ensure that you’re keeping your other trees safe. 

Improve the Appearance of Your Home

If you have a dead tree on your property, you’ll notice visual signs such as peeling bark and missing leaves. Worse yet, you may notice pests like termites or fungus. None of these visual indicators will do anything to make your home and property look good.

Having trees that are too close to your property is another common problem. Especially if a tree sprouts limbs that hit your roof or siding, you’re looking at the potential for damage. In this scenario, it makes sense to remove a tree. 

On top of that, large tree roots can cause cracks in your driveway or foundation. And if tree roots disrupt your sidewalk, you’ll put any walker or jogger at risk. 

You’re better off removing a problematic or dead tree if it’s diminishing your home’s curb appeal. A tree removal service can remove the tree and even handle stump grinding. They’ll know how to remove it safely and without damaging nearby structures. 

Save Time and Money

While you might have time to occasionally trim a low-hanging limb, true tree maintenance requires more expertise. After all, when was the last time you climbed an old oak tree while carrying a chainsaw? If you can’t pull up a memory, then you should hire a pro.

And most people don’t have the time or money to invest in the gear necessary to tackle tree servicing properly. A trained arborist will have the harness, boots, ropes, and spikes needed to handle the job. They’ll also know how to climb a tree and use a chainsaw. 

It’s easy to think you can save money by doing tree maintenance or removal yourself. But you’ll only ratchet up the risk of injuries if you fall. Avoid hospital fees by leaving tree services to the professionals. 

And avoid damaging your surroundings. If a tree limb falls onto a bed of flowers or shrubs, it could damage them. Professional arborists know how to choreograph their cuts and notches to ensure the tree falls in the right direction.

Pursue Tree Removal

Tree removal makes sense when you’re trying to remove an unhealthy tree or a dangerous one. You can prevent accidents while protecting neighboring trees and shrubs from disease. You can improve your home’s curb appeal by getting rid of an unsightly tree, and you’ll save money and time in the process.

When you’re ready to make tree maintenance a priority, contact us so we can help!

Why is tree pruning essential for yard maintenance? Pruning is important for trees because it removes diseased or dead branches, improves the structural integrity of the tree, and can even encourage new growth in your tree. 

However, pruning your tree incorrectly can cause many problems with your tree and may even kill your tree over time. If you are ready to tackle your tree pruning project, it is essential that you learn the proper methods. 

Do you want to learn more about the do’s and don’ts of pruning a tree? Keep reading this guide for everything you should do and everything you should avoid with tree pruning. 

Important Tree Pruning Tips

There are many things that you need to do to have a healthy, well-structured tree. While it may be best to hire a professional tree pruning service, there are many things that you can do yourself to prune your tree. 

Here are some of the most important things you should do when pruning your trees!

Do Use the Right Tools

One of the most important tips to follow when you are trimming your trees is to use the right tree pruning tools. You need to have a sharp pruner or saw that is able to make clean cuts on your tree. 

You may also need different sizes of pruning tools. These include hand shears, lopper shears, and even pole pruners. 

You also need to invest in the right safety gear to protect yourself. You may have falling branches and other dangers, so protective gear will prevent unnecessary injuries. These include thick work gloves, safety goggles, and a hard hat. 

Do Remove Weak or Unproductive Growth

Next, you must remove any growth that is weak or unproductive. This includes growth that is diseased or dying, as these can spread to other areas of your tree. 

You should also remove things known as suckers, which are vertical growths that come from the base of the tree. 

Do Cut in the Right Places

Learning to cut your tree in the right places is the key to good pruning. If you trim wherever you want to, you may not be able to shape the tree. A good rule of thumb to follow is to always cut back a branch or twig that is pointed in the direction in which you want your tree to grow in the future. 

This way, you will have healthy and controlled growth on your trees in the future. 

You also need to avoid cutting the branches too close to the tree trunk. If you do this, you can make it easier for diseases and pests to damage your tree trunk and kill the tree. Instead, make the cuts faster away from the trunk while avoiding leaving a stub. 

If you are ever unsure of whether or not you should cut a branch, you should wait! You can always cut a branch later, but you can never bring back a branch that you already cut. 

Do Consult a Trained Arborist

Finally, you should consider consulting a trained arborist to help you with your tree pruning service. While pruning your own trees may be able to save you a bit of money, an arborist is a worthwhile investment. 

They will properly prune your trees and will ensure that they grow properly for years to come!

Tree Pruning Tips to Avoid

While there are many things that you can do to improve your tree growth, there are other mistakes that you can make which can impact your tree health. 

Learning more about these mistakes will make it easier to avoid them when you are pruning trees. Here are some of the top things to avoid when pruning a tree. 

Don’t Prune Without a Good Reason

One of the first rules to follow when pruning is to never prune without a good reason. If you don’t have a real reason to prune your trees, it increases the chance that you could make a mistake. 

Only prune when you are trying to improve the structure of your tree, removing dead or broken branches, or removing branches that are dangerous or obstruct a walkway. 

Don’t Remove Too Much Foliage

Next, you should avoid removing too much foliage when you are pruning during a growing season. Typically, you should remove 25% or less of the foliage on your tree. 

If you prune your trees too much, it can cause a lot of stress for your tree. Over pruning may even cause your tree to die. 

Don’t Prune in Dangerous Situations

You should also never take on jobs that can be dangerous or are potential safety hazards. There are some pruning jobs that require a certified arborist if they are to be done correctly and safely. 

For example, you should not try to do a pruning job that requires you to use a chain saw or climb up a ladder. You should also never climb the tree with climbing spikes when you are pruning. 

Finally, you should never prune within 10 feet of a utility conductor. Instead, you can hire a professional to do this safely. 

Don’t Prune a Newly Planted Tree

Finally, you should not prune a newly planted tree during its first year of growth. 

The only exception to this rule is if you are removing dead or broken branches from your tree. You should never prune a new tree to promote growth or to change the shape or structure of the tree. 

Instead, you should only prune your trees after they have been planted for two or three years. This will allow your tree to recover from the stress of being planted. 

Need Help With a Tree Pruning Service? 

Tree pruning is an essential part of tree maintenance that will help your trees grow correctly and improve their health. However, the wrong types of pruning can cause worse problems for your tree. By following each of these do’s and don’ts when pruning, you can protect your trees!

Do you need help pruning fruit trees or other trees in your yard? Arbor-Tech Tree Service can help! We provide tree trimming, tree removal, and more. 

Contact us today to learn more about our services or to get a quote for pruning a tree!