Tree pruning in Oklahoma is an important professional service that can beautify and reinforce your trees so they are able to fight off pests, diseases and severe weather – and look good while doing it!
Pruning needs to be done if you want a healthy tree, but it needs to be done properly by someone who knows what they’re doing. Like a certified arborist from OK Tree Trimming. Homeowners may be able to prune and trim trees safely while they are still small, but you also may do permanent damage to the tree in the process.
To properly prune trees, you need to know all of the following:
- When to prune your species of trees
- How much of the tree should be trimmed at a time
- Where to cut the branches so you do not damage the tree
Removing too much from a tree could kill it or result in structural damage, but precise trimming done every year benefits trees in several ways. Pruning improves the appearance of trees, makes them healthier, removes dead or diseased limbs and assists in fruit or flower production.
Ideally, pruning must be performed once a year, but as trees mature, you might be able to wait two years between major pruning services. Regardless of how often you have your trees pruned, ensure your arborist is qualified to perform the type of tree pruning your trees need. This won’t be a problem if you call OK Tree Trimming in Oklahoma!
Types of Tree Pruning Methods
There are 7 different ways to properly trim a tree so that it grows healthier and stronger every year.
Depending on the size, species and health problems of your trees, one pruning method could be more effective than another, but each technique has various benefits to consider.
Crown Thinning Your Trees
Crown thinning is common for larger, overgrown trees in Oklahoma. This process removes weak branches within the crown to improve light and air flow within the crown. Air flow is important to help prevent disease.
This pruning method also removes branches and limbs that are touching so they no longer rub against each other and snap or create weaker areas that can be an entry point for insects and pests. Limbs that grow at odd angles are almost always removed during crown thinning.
Crown Raising Your Trees
This tree pruning technique only removes branches at the lowest part of the crown so limbs start higher up on the trunk of the tree. Letting low branches get too large makes them very difficult to cut off, and they can draw nutrients from the top of the tree, resulting in less fruit and a weaker tree.
There are many reasons you may choose to raise the crown of a tree. Frequently, it is done to clear the line of sight for cars and pedestrians, but it can be done to create space for landscaping beneath the tree.
It is a common method for large trees that are too close to homes and buildings.
Crown Reduction
Crown reduction reduces the overall size of the crown from its outer edges. It shortens branches vertically and horizontally to maintain the tree at a manageable size. By reducing the size of the crown, you can eliminate the need to chop the tree down because it will no longer interfere with traffic lights, power lines or street lights.
Even if the tree isn’t close to structures like these, crown reduction can make the tree look neater because it also removes irregular growth. This is a great solution for trees that are different ages but are supposed to look consistent.
Crown Cleaning
Often referred to as deadwood pruning, crown cleaning is a minimally invasive type of tree trimming technique that gets rid of dead, snapped or diseased branches so that the rest of the tree may continue to grow normally. These limbs can only create problems later.
Crown cleaning makes the tree look a lot better, and it prevents branches from rubbing together. Plus it is a safety practice that lowers the chance of branches falling, since healthy branches do not fall very often.
Crown Restoration
Crown restoration is an intense trimming method used on trees that have been severely damaged (either by pests or weather). It should only be done by an experienced arborist who knows where the tree is likely to grow over time and how long it’s restoration will take.
Unlike other tree pruning services, crown restoration happens throughout an extended time period with conservative trimming that reshapes the tree. An arborist should have a plan to restore the tree, but also must be flexible as the tree grows and reshapes on its own, adapting to the tree’s new growth.
Vista Pruning
If you want trees to help improve curb appeal, you are actually interested in vista pruning. The goal of vista pruning is to make the tree more aesthetically pleasing from a particular viewing point.
It consists of many pruning techniques including crown thinning, crown reduction and crown cleaning – anything that makes the trees look prettier. Remember, though, that a professional is not going to compromise the health of a tree, so the primary focus of vista pruning is still to create strong, healthy trees.
Espalier Pruning
Espaliered trees are heavily pruned to grow flat against a wall or a trellis. It is a unique style of tree pruning that is going to draw a lot of attention to your lawn. Espalier pruning has to begin when the tree is very young and then done consistently during the tree’s life span.
of espalier pruning include facilitating maximum sunlight to get to the trees, as well as making it exceptionally easier to harvest fruit.
Professional Tree Pruning in Oklahoma
Tree pruning can be harmful to a tree, your landscaping, and, of course, for you! OK Tree Trimming highly recommends professional tree trimming over attempting DIY.
Aside from the many dangers of tree trimming, you can do a lot of damage to a tree if you don’t know how to prune it correctly. Over-pruning is one of the most typical errors made by homeowners maintaining their own trees.
Trees in Oklahoma that get routine care from a professionals are usually much better off, and hiring a certified arborist from OK Tree Trimming to trim trees on your property is a choice you won’t regret. Locate your town in our service area. We work with arborists throughout the entire state of Oklahoma!
