Hiring someone to trim and prune is fine, but doing it yourself will not only help you gain knowledge but also trim them to your liking. Although it’s necessary to eliminate dangerous dead branches, without the right technique, the tree may be harmed. Here’s an essential guide to trimming and pruning.

Trimming during the dormant season is essential although it is alright to trim them anytime. This is because doing so lowers the risk of contracting a disease. A good time to trim would be in the winter. Pruning in the spring helps the tree grow healthy and strong.

Although it is advisable to prune when the trees aren’t wet, trimming is acceptable in the summer if there are a lot of dead branches.

Having an idea about the branch that needs to be cut is vital. If the branch is more than 5 centimeters in diameter, it isn’t wise to trim.

Make sure to prune in the ratio of 2:1 living crown to tree height and prune them when the branches are young. Doing so would reduce the risk of scarring yourself while also being easier to manage.

Proper pruning would result in the wound making a circle around the cut. This is essential as the circle protects the tree from rotting. Look for branches that cross other branches. Removing a significant part of 25% of a living crown is not desirable.

After deciding which branch to cut, locate the branch collar. Cut the branches from outside of the branch to let the tree heal correctly. Damaging the branch collar won’t let the tree form a callus. This can later lead to the rotting of the tree.

Trim the tree at a downward angle so as to let the water not settle into the wound. Neglecting so could result in rotting. This is the reason why cutting branches that protrude upwards can eventually be dangerous for the tree.

Branches that are dead is harmful to the tree as these branches can house pests, diseases and water settlements which can be detrimental to the health of the tree.

As a beginner, cutting large branches can be risky. Hence, leaving them on is okay unless if they are dead. Be wary of the shape of the tree while trimming and trim less than a quarter of the living branches if necessary.

Start small, as trimming and pruning can take time to master Tree Service. Once you’ve learned the basics, maintain the tree regularly so that you can improve on this skill while also making the tree look sharp.