Tree trimming is best left to experienced professionals. It’s a dangerous job, climbing high up trees, using chainsaws and lowering heavy tree limbs to the ground; and it is sometimes dangerous for the tree too. Trees that are improperly pruned can sustain a lifetime of problems.
Instead of putting yourself in harm’s way and the tree itself at risk, enlist an arborist who is trained and experienced to do it for you.
This will lead to stronger trees and a safer environment near your home for many reasons:
- Healthy trees are stronger and less likely to cause damage during storms
- Maintained trees don’t attract or spread parasites and diseases
- Pruned trees grow more flowers or fruit
- Trimmed trees provide shade while still allowing air to flow throughout their canopies and your property
OK Tree Trimming highly suggests trimming trees that are very close to your home or any that are an integral part of your property.
Is Tree Pruning Necessary?
It is not required. But it is beneficial. Trees are strong and can survive on their own across the world, in various different climates and locations, without pruning.
That said, there are a lot of benefits of tree pruning, so it’s recommended for trees that you value. This can include sentimental trees, fruit trees and flowering trees or trees that offer an important service for your house, such as shade or home to wildlife.
Tree Pruning Gone Wrong
Trimming a tree is a complicated task. You are going to need the correct equipment and a lot of knowledge to guarantee the project is done correctly. The vast majority of homeowners don’t have any of these!
But that’s OK, because there are several companies available who know how to properly prune trees for an affordable cost to you including all of the certified arborists in Oklahoma we work with!
Below are the 5 most common mistakes homeowners make when they attempt DIY tree pruning that can lead to several tree problems. These are things that an experienced arborist from OK Tree Trimming will know, and that’s the reason why their services are worth paying for!
Pruning Too Much
When done correctly, pruning is a never-ending process. Beginning when your trees are just 2 or 3 years old, they should be care for by a professional if you value them and intend to keep them healthy.
A big mistake that people often make when pruning trees by themselves is trimming too much of the tree all at once. This happens because they have let the tree’s growth get out of hand and try to fix it all immediately. Ideally, you should only cut off 5-20% of the tree’s crown at a time. It is much easier to do this during a time of year that the leaves are off, but an experienced arborist will be able to properly trim trees any time of year.
Removing Tree Bark
When you cut a tree limb and gravity starts to pull it down, it can rip bark from the trunk right along with it. This exposes the tree’s inner layers, leaving the tree in danger of contracting diseases and making it easier for pests and rodents to scurry their way in.
To ensure this doesn’t happen, a trained arborist will make special cuts beneath big branches before making their final removal cut. Knowing exactly how to place these initial cuts removes pressure from the branch collar and limits the stress at the exact point of the main cut so the limb doesn’t rip.
Pruning in the Wrong Place
A trained tree specialist knows where to cut each limb to prevent damage. This cut should be done just beyond the branch collar, the exact place where the branch connects to the trunk.
Trimming too close to the branch collar exposes the tree to insects, decay and mildew. Cutting too far from it leaves an unsightly stump when the tree has recovered. Most DIY tree trimming results in an improper cut, leaving either aesthetic or structural issues.
Pruning Large Branches
Branches any larger than 4 inches in diameter really shouldn’t be pruned unless it is necessary. Cutting off a branch of this size can cause imbalance in the tree and expose it to insects and decay as the tree recovers from such a large loss.
Conservative pruning once each year guarantees that the company only has to cut off branches that are 2-3 inches in diameter, which results in a more attractive shape for the tree and less chance of damaging the tree or exposing it to decay and pests.
Topping the Tree
Tree topping is no longer a type of pruning, and for good reason! During this process, tree trimming companies would just cut the top off of the tree to achieve the desired height. It was neither attractive nor beneficial for the tree, so the majority of tree care companies do not practice tree topping anymore.
As a DIY tree pruning, you may think this is a good way to lower the height of your tree with only one cut, but once you have cut off the top of a tree, there’s almost no chance that it will ever return to a natural shape.
The Solution? Call OK Tree Trimming
Here’s the truth. Your tree may never recover from bad pruning.
Doing this job yourself might seem like a way to save a little money, but you could end up with way more expenses trying to revive damaged trees, so it’s much safer (and more economical in the long run) to hire a certified arborist in Oklahoma from OK Tree Trimming.
Limbs don’t grow back. The tree will grow more, but it will not grow back in the same places, which leads to odd shapes that might require years to correct. The tree might end up looking bad for the rest of its life, all because of a single trimming error.
Bad pruning could also result in death of the tree. Removing too many limbs (and, therefore, leaves) can inhibit the tree’s photosynthesis process, which means it won’t get enough water or enough sunlight and carbon dioxide to continue healthy growth.
Cutting off too many branches can also send the tree into a state of shock. Shock isn’t necessarily permanent, but it does take a lot of care and patience. Even with the right care, a tree undergoing shock may still die.
Avoid all of these tree pruning mistakes and call OK Tree Trimming to speak with a tree care specialist in Oklahoma able to devise a long-term plan to ensure your tree continues to blossom and look beautiful for years to come!
