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Tag: Pruning Tree

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Common Questions About Tree Pruning

tree care

If you have trees growing on your property, you know that one of the most important maintenance routines is pruning. Below are some common questions and answers regarding pruning techniques for your Lafayette tree service.

Is Pruning Important For My Trees?

Yes. You need to regularly prune the trees on your property to keep them healthy and looking their best. Pruning when the trees are younger ensures they gain a sturdy structure. Also, removing ailing branches allows the remaining limbs to get more energy and grow stronger. When pruning your trees, you make them more visually appealing, and also reduce the potential hazards they pose to people and property.

When Should I Have My Trees Pruned?

It’s often best to schedule a pruning service in winter when there’s less risk of insects or infection. Trees have time to recover before all that spring growth. It’s also easier to identify dead branches during winter than in other seasons. This is because many trees lose their leaves. Although, you can still prune other times of the year, especially if your trees have begun to look a bit shabby. In spring, tree bark is usually softer. That can make tree care easier. You do have to be careful, though, because you could easily damage the new branches.

How Frequently Should I Have My Trees Pruned?

Tree pruning should be done at least once every year. However, you can schedule Lafayette tree services more often if your trees need them. Arborists are able to determine if special circumstances require pruning, such as a tree branch rotting, or new construction that’s obstructed by tree growth.

Are There Specific Pruning Techniques I Should Use?

While tree pruning may seem easy, it requires expert knowledge and a refined skill set. The best way to guarantee proper tree care is to hire experts to handle the process. Alternatively, you can study up to learn the appropriate techniques and prune them yourself. They include:

Hazard Reduction Pruning

This is done on larger branches that pose a danger. It should be handled carefully to guarantee safety.

Maintenance Pruning

This technique is used to remove dead branches or branches that are infected. The goal is to allow the tree to continue growing properly, without hindrance from the affected branches.

Related Content: 3 Tools for Tree Pruning

Crown Raising

You remove the lower hanging branches to increase the aesthetic appeal of the tree.

Vista Pruning

Allows removal of tree limbs without damaging the tree. Vista pruning removes branches that block a beautiful view.

Should I Treat Pruning Wounds?

You shouldn’t add any product to the surface of the tree, as it could cause decay. Make sure you make a clean pruning cut that will allow natural healing.

Related Content: The Dangers of Improper Tree Pruning

Why Hire a Professional Tree Company?

Tree companies have the knowledge and experience you need to guarantee clean cuts and proper healing. A Lafayette tree service will also have the equipment and insurance to cover any accidents on the job.

Lafayette Tree Service

When you need tree care in the Bay Area, contact us at Sexy Trees by calling (925) 233-6877.

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How Often Should I Prune My Trees?

Tree Service Alamo

 

Most people in the East Bay should be pruning their trees between November and March. But how often should I prune my trees? Is it an annual tradition? What is best for my tree to ensure it grows and isn’t damaged? While it’s always best to speak to our certified arborist, the following are some basic guidelines that individuals should follow when determining pruning schedules:

Type of Tree

One of the key factors is the type of tree involved. Each tree type will react differently. For instance, fruit trees are generally pruned annually. On the other hand, oak trees should be trimmed every 2-3 years. Additionally, the tree type can also determine the ideal time to prune your tree. Thus, knowing your tree type is essential in determining the pruning schedule.

Age of the Tree

In addition to the tree type, the age of the tree also impacts how often you should prune it. Younger trees are usually pruned more often than older trees. If you had to find an average, most younger trees should be pruned every 2-3 years while older trees are trimmed every 3-5 years. This allows younger trees to flourish while helping to maintain established structures.

Tree Condition

The condition of a tree can dramatically affect the pruning timeframe as well. If a tree has a broken branch or loose/unstable areas, the tree may require trimming, even if it’s not “time”. Alternatively, if a younger tree is having trouble establishing its roots, it maybe recommended that the tree not be pruned as frequently for now.

Thus, if you are wanting to get your trees pruned or evaluated for trimming in the Bay Area, contact us. Sexy Trees has a certified arborist with years of experience.

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Can Pruning A Tree Help To Slow Its Growth?

Alamo Tree Removal

Keeping trees and shrubs in good condition involves regular tree care and pruning to maintain their health, and to keep them under control. Tree pruning helps to conserve a tree’s energy, manage its size and change its shape. But can pruning a tree actually change a tree’s growth?

Benefits of Tree Pruning

Tree pruning can help to keep your trees neat and tidy and is an essential service that can be offered by a qualified arborist. Pruning can remove dead or diseased branches, thin canopies, change the shape of tree canopies and improve fruit crop. Having your trees trimmed regularly is essential for optimum tree health.

Pruning Effect on Canopy Growth

Pruning both immediately changes the characteristics of the canopy and impacts growth within the canopy. Because the leaves are the energy and food producing centers of a tree, pruning live tissues will always have an impact on growth. However, pruning dead tissues and branches simply clears them away, without impacting growth.

Skillful pruning by an experienced arborist can help to control the size and shape of your canopy. The more that outer growth and primary branches are pruned back, the more growth will be concentrated on smaller branches close to the tree. This can produce tight dense canopies. For optimal tree health, canopies that allow sunlight and air to filter through can be more beneficial. By pruning marginal branches and leaving active leader branches, your arborist can help you promote trees with healthy growth along the strongest branches, resulting in a large and dispersed canopy.

Pruning Effect on Root Growth

Any pruning of living tissue will affect root growth to some extent. Pruning back active branches diminishes a tree’s ability to produce food, so there will be less root growth. Care should be taken not to ‘top’ trees when pruning to reduce root growth, as this can eliminate any opportunity for the tree to produce food, resulting in tree death.

While pruning may help to slow root growth, it shouldn’t be counted on as a way to control root growth. If you require the trees in your garden to have non-invasive root systems, it’s better to choose tree and shrub varieties that have non-invasive roots naturally.

Pruning Effect on Fruit Growth

Pruning trees skillfully can actually help to produce larger fruit in a greater quantity. Pruning trees in late winter, removing small secondary branches, can help to focus resources and energy on the major branches that will bear fruit. Fruit can grow larger, and in greater amounts, when energy is being diverted directly into fruit production rather than generating new leaves or branches in spring or summer. However, pruning trees to promote fruit growth is a careful process that requires skill to execute correctly. Talk to your local arborist about pruning your fruit tree to yield a bumper crop.

Skillful pruning can change the way your tree grows in many ways, but unskillful pruning can damage or even kill your tree. Call a professional arborist for efficient, safe and beneficial pruning, for your trees best health and optimal growth.