Tree trimming & pruning tips

Tree Trimming Killeen, TX

Knowing the basics about tree trimming and pruning trees, you may be able to handle most of this work yourself. There are a variety of tips and techniques pruning cut that can help keep the trees in excellent shape. With proper knowledge and equipment, you can prune your trees as necessary to maintain their appearance and health and eliminate potentially dangerous dead branches and other common problems. There are a many techniques out there but it is best to stay with the basics. If you want to make it as easy as possible, hiring a professional is the way to go.  This article will help you make an educated decision.

Reasons To Trim/Prune A Tree: Safety, Aesthetics, Health
Safety: Dead or broken branches and limbs can fall off at any time which is a serious safety hazard. If a the tree branches obstruct your vision while driving, this is a dangerous situation if you have kids that play in the yard. They should be trimmed away immediately. Finally, tree limbs and branches occasionally grow too close to utility lines which can be a life-threatening situation.  You should contact the utility company to handle such issues since they have teams to respond to this.
Aesthetics: Pruning a tree to an unnatural shape or size can seriously damage it.  Aesthetics should be taken into account to maintain a more natural shape and appearance. This will allow the tree to maximize its growth and health.
Health: Pruning away infected branches and limbs can save a tree in the long run. Thinning the crown of a tree improves airflow, which can be very beneficial. If branches are contacting each other, they should be trimmed, or removed so that they don’t fall unexpectedly.

General Tree Trimming Tips

• The best time to trim a tree is during it's dormant season. Even though some trees such as pine trees can be pruned at any time, it is still best practice to do so when it is dormant. The only exception is when a safety/hazard issue comes up.
• The size of the branch should be taken into consideration. Removing any branches under 5 cm, there are no issues. If it is between 5-10 cm in diameter, removing it should be considered carefully. If it is more than 10 cm in diameter, you should only do so if you have a really good reason.
• Retain branches that have strong, U-shaped angles. Branches with weak, V-shaped narrow angles can be trimmed. Lateral branches should be between one-half and three-quarters the diameter of the stem at point of attachment. Otherwise, they should be removed.
• The ratio of living crown to tree height should be 2/3 when trimming is all done.
• Branches should be pruned when they are young and easy to manage. This leaves less chance of unsightly scars.
• You shouldn’t leave a large stub or remove the branch collar so don't trim a branch too close or too long.

Tree Pruning Killeen, TX

Tree Pruning Tips
These tips will help you with pruning and tree trimming maintenance.
Crown Thinning

• Prune branches that cross other branches or run against them.
  

• Never remove more than 1/4 of the crown of a tree at one time. If you need to remove more than that, spread it out over a number of years.

• Evenly space lateral branches especially on young trees.

Crown Raising

• To make it more aesthetically pleasing as well as to provide clearance, you can raise the crown by carefully pruning the tree. Maintain live branches on at least 2/3 of a tree’s height. Removing too many branches near the bottom half can cause the tree to not be able to develop a strong stem.
  

Crown Reduction

• A good general rule is if you need to remove more than half of the foliage from a branch, just remove the whole branch.
• Prune lateral branches that are at least 1/3 of the diameter of the stem that needs to be removed. The crown should only be reduced if it's absolutely necessary.

Tree Trimming Techniques

• The branch collar grows from the stem tissue at the bottom base of the branch. The branch ridge is on the upper surface and is parallel to the branch angle at the stem.
• Avoid damaging the branch collar by cutting outside the branch ridge.  Angle your cut down and away from the stem.
• Prune dead branches and living branches using the same technique.
• Use a 3 cut technique if a stem is too long. Make a notch on the side of the stem that faces away from the branch that’s being retained; make the second cut inside the crotch of the branch and above the branch ridge; the third cut will remove the stub by cutting through the stem parallel to the branch ridge.

Keep these tips on trimming and pruning in mind and your trees will grow faster and stronger than your neighbors'.  This will enhance the beauty of your home as well as increase it's curb appeal and value.  But if you decide this is more work than you can handle, give Texas Shade Tree Service a call and our professionals can handle it all for you.  They are the premiere tree trimmers and tree services company in the Killeen, TX area.