Growing Trees For the FutureGrowing Trees for the Future

Trimming and pruning are essential maintenance practices for the landscaping trees in your home. These processes involve the discriminate removal of specific parts of the tree such as branches and buds. The purpose of this work is to enhance the appeal of the ornamental tree. Overgrown trees tend to look wild and out of place; they can be shaped and controlled through trimming. Additionally, pruning and trimming can improve tree health. 

In simple terms, these maintenance practices allow for the removal of diseased, broken and dead limbs which cause a decline in plant growth. If such branches remain in place, the tree might deteriorate and die. On the other hand, you should note that the advantages will depend on the quality of the trimming work. If you are planning on performing these tasks for the first time, you should be careful to avoid the below-outlined mistakes.

Tree Topping

Topping is a harmful trimming practice used on large landscaping trees. This process involves removing the trunk top or eliminating major branches. Topping leaves lateral branches, which are too small to act as the terminal leader. If you use this technique, your trees will experience stress due to the excessive loss. Also, the plants will be too weak to resist disease and pest infestation. For better results, you should consider using alternative practices such as canopy thinning.

Collar Damage

Tree branches have a collar; this is an elevated bump close to the intersection of the limb and the trunk. The collar has specialised cells that allow accelerated healing of the wounds after cutting. If the branches are cut too close to the main trunk, the collar will be eliminated or damaged. Therefore, the site of pruning will not heal as expected. The open wound will increase the risk of tree infection and degradation. Thus, you should ensure that the branches are cut at the right spot.

Excess Pruning

Finally, you should avoid excessive pruning of the tree during maintenance. Over-pruning involves the removal of too many tree branches at one time. If you eliminate too many limbs, the plant will not be able to produce sufficient nutrients for growth. Therefore, the tree's growth will be stunted and the health will decline. Additionally, excess pruning tends to open numerous wounds, providing an entry point for dangerous diseases and harmful pests.

Trimming trees can be a challenging process, and the outcome can be disastrous for your landscape. If you prune or trim your trees improperly, that can lead to early tree removal. Therefore, you should hire an experienced tree service professional to perform the maintenance work for optimal results.