Maintenance: Is Pruning Helpful or Killing?

 

If you have trees in your front, back or side gardens, in your grounds or as one of your management/maintenance responsibilities, then you have a choice to make – leave them to grow as nature intended, cut them back yourself when you feel they need it, or call in the experts. Pruning is an essential part of tree care maintenance. Bark and Branch tree specialists are experts in vegetation management, from trees to invasive plants. All of our tree surgeon in manchester , site clearance, vegetation and invasive weed control work is done with pride. We are dedicated to providing excellent customer service and professionalism, from the beginning to the end. 

This is not a pitch to get your business. I will happily refer you to another tree surgeon or arborist firm, but I hope that you call the experts for the good of your trees. Let me tell you why.

As Nature intended

The trees that live in woodlands can survive for hundreds of years, without the assistance of an arborist. So why not let them grow naturally in your garden? Woodland is a self-regulating ecosystem. Trees only grow as fast as they can, and as high as they can, depending on the amount of light and moisture that they receive from the trees around them. When a tree falls, only other trees will be affected.

If allowed to grow, garden trees can often continue to thrive. They may not grow evenly, especially if they aren’t pruned properly or regularly. This could increase their vulnerability to being toppled in high winds, especially if there is no other tree to help dissipate the wind.

Infestation, infection, and dehydration can quickly turn a healthy tree to a husk, spreading to neighbor’s trees. If it is not treated by an arborist and diagnosed promptly, it can lead to the death of your tree.

In urban environments, this could lead to limbs, or entire trees falling on houses, gardens, power lines, phone lines, or people. This is messy and a nightmare legal. You can reduce the likelihood of it happening by having an expert regularly inspect and prune your trees.

You Can Cut These Back!

Pruning is a vital part of tree maintenance. It’s the selective removing of dead, dying or rotten bark and branches. However, healthy branches can be removed if they are being pruned for aesthetic or structural reasons. You might think that trees can live hundreds of years, so you can be forgiven for thinking they are strong enough to take care of themselves. Break through the bark’s outer layers and they will be injured and bleed, just like us. They can also become infected and get ill. In extreme cases, they may even die.

Tree surgeons must use sharp, clean tools to do their job. The faster a branch is removed, the better it heals. Substandard equipment or cutting into the tree incorrectly could cause irreparable damage.

If you don’t know what branches to take out, how much crown to trim back, when to prune, and why, then you might be doing more damage than good.

Pruning: Whats, Whens, and Hows

Pruning is vital for your tree’s health. However, you must first understand the biology of your tree to fully appreciate the whys, hows and whens of pruning. An arborist has the knowledge and skills to minimize the risks associated with tree surgery.

Pruning is a good idea.

Pruning increases sunlight penetration and air movement, which can maximise growth and reduce disease problems. Pruning helps trees live long, healthy lives. It also creates structures that are strong enough to withstand storms without them falling. This should be done from a young age. Trees can be trained to grow correctly so that less work is needed later. It can promote healthier fruit trees, reduce the risk of falling branches and protect property. It can stop tree growth from reaching another person’s property. It allows for more light to create more beautiful gardens.

When is it appropriate to prune?

The best time to prune trees is late winter. This is because they are dormant, and therefore produce less sap when the limbs are taken out. It is also when insects and other organisms can enter the tree through the wounds, which reduces the chance of infestation or infection. This is the exception to the rule for spring-blooming shrubs and trees. You should wait until they have bloomed to prune them.

What should you prune?

If you don’t have to remove 25% of your tree’s crown (the branches and leaves at the top) it is a good idea. Otherwise, your trees could be permanently damaged. To minimize the damage done to your tree, use sharp and clean tools. Less damage will speed up the tree’s recovery. Knowing when your tree species can be pruned is important. Doing so outside of these times could do more damage than good. Recognize the benefits and drawbacks of each type of pruning and the frequency at which your trees should be pruned.