It can be tempting to just start cutting branches and removing bits of an overloaded tree canopy. However, you need to use great care to ensure that you’re not making common mistakes with your tree trimming. There are a few maintenance measures you can take to keep your tree in beautiful, healthy condition.
1. Reduce the Crown Properly
Make sure to use proper crown reduction techniques when you’re cleaning up the tree’s canopy. Even if you’d like to make your tree shorter, avoid simply chopping large branches or taking off the entire top layer. This can weaken the structure and leave your tree open to infestation and prone to disease. Ask an arborist for help with this task.
2. Don’t Cut Too Close to the Trunk
If you cut branches right up against the trunk or you remove the branch collar (where the base of the limb meets the trunk), it delays the tree’s healing and leaves it open to decay. Instead, make cuts to the branch at a slight angle and just outside the collar.
3. Avoid Removing Too Many Branches at Once
Be careful not to cut an excess of branches during a trimming season. This will keep your tree from having enough nutrients and adequate leaves for photosynthesis, although this isn’t so much of an issue during most of the winter. A good rule of thumb is to trim no more than 25% of the canopy in one season.
4. Use Clean, Sharp Tools
Ensure that the tools you use have been cleaned in the proper way. Don’t use dull pruning shears or other tools because they will tear instead of making clean cuts.
5. Consider the Time of Year and Type of Tree
Avoid trimming your trees during their active growth season. Also, don’t do this work in harsh weather because the trees won’t recover well and will be in shock if you trim at the wrong time.
Every tree species has different growth habits and branch structures that you’ll have to pay attention to in order to keep your trees healthy. An expert will be able to determine the best time and conditions for a trimming schedule.
Tree trimming is a tricky process that requires assistance from trained arborists who perform this type of service on a regular basis. If you’d like help with tree trimming in the San Carlos, CA area, contact us at West Coast Tree Care, Inc. We’re happy to help.
