There is absolutely nothing more stunning than a neighborhood full of beautiful, tall, majestic trees. Back in the day, neighborhoods and subdivisions were made up of larger plots of land—this meant that there was less of a need to cut down trees. Today, we cram as many homes into a single subdivision as we can, necessitating near clear-cutting.
For those of us lucky enough to have mature trees on our property, we cherish them. They’re our swing sets, our shady afternoons, our tree forts—they become a focal point of our outdoor living spaces. Because of this, we want to keep them happy and healthy for as long as possible. In this article, we’re going to discuss one of the most important facets of tree health—trimming. We’re going to take a look at why trees need to be trimmed, how and when to trim them, and why it’s a good idea to consult with a professional arborist before making any major cuts to a tree.
WHY DO TREES NEED TO BE TRIMMED?
Tree trimming, or pruning as it’s also called, is the removal of unwanted branches—whether for aesthetics, or for the health of the tree itself. Trees should be trimmed at regular intervals and should be inspected seasonally. Trees are large, heavy things, and can cause serious damage to a home or property if left unchecked. The disease is also a major factor in the health of a tree. Tree diseases can start small, eventually, take over the host tree, then spread to other nearby trees. Tree populations have been decimated by invasive insects and diseases, but this can easily be prevented with proper tree maintenance.
There are many benefits to trimming your trees, let’s have a look at a few:
IMPROVES GROWTH
During the colder months, trees slip into a state of partial dormancy. This means they’re not expending as much energy to produce leaves, nuts, blooms, and fruit. Of course, the time of year in which this dormant state occurs will depend on your location, but most trees do have a time of year when they are less active.
This dormant period is the absolute best time to get your tree trimmed up and ready for spring. In order to properly trim a dormant tree, it’s important to look for branches that look dead or diseased. Anything no longer serving its purpose should be trimmed. Having said this, it’s important not to go hacking away at your tree, as you may cause irreparable harm. Trimming branches as close to the trunk as possible is the best way to ensure the long-term health of the tree.
When you remove branches during the cooler months, you allow the tree to expend energy ONLY to the areas of the tree that are still thriving. Failing to prune and trim means your tree will needlessly use energy fighting a losing battle to keep dead and diseased branches alive. By properly pruning during dormancy, you ensure a full canopy of leaves on the showpieces of your property.
REMOVES DANGEROUS BRANCHES
Let’s not beat around the bush (pun definitely intended), trees can be a hazard. They can knock out power lines, destroy property, and potentially wreak havoc if not properly maintained. Proper, and safe, tree trimming is highly recommended, especially for larger trees. However, this level of tree trimming is best left to the professionals. Large tree trimming projects require specialized equipment, safety gear, and ladders. Most homeowners don’t have ready access to this type of equipment, which is why calling a professional tree trimming service to have your tree inspected is strongly advised.
It may seem like a good idea to get the chainsaw and ladder out on a nice sunny day—but it might not work out the way you’d like it to. Not only can you do damage to the tree, but you can do damage to yourself.
REDUCES DISEASE RISK
Tree diseases are common, and most of the time can be spotted and taken care of before the tree becomes unsalvageable. Typically, tree diseases will spread rapidly during cooler, wet weather. That’s why it’s so important to get your trees diagnosed and trimmed before this type of weather hits. Tree disease can weaken trees, creating a hazard, but can also spread to other trees on your property and beyond. For mild, non-systemic diseases, strategic trimming can usually solve the problem. However, for more severe cases, a systemic fungicide is sometimes necessary along with the trimming of diseased portions of the tree.
Trimming your trees regularly greatly reduces the chance of disease taking hold.
BEAUTIFIES YOUR PROPERTY
We’re proud of our properties. We want them to look perfect, so we can show them off and make the neighbors jealous. Trees that look wonky, asymmetrical, and diseased tend to give our properties a spooky vibe. Professional tree trimmers have the tools and ability to make your property look absolutely flawless, by shaping your trees and shrubs. Not only does this increase curb appeal, it often increases the value of your home, and who doesn’t like that?!
HIRING A PROFESSIONAL
At Arkadia, we have the expertise, equipment, and qualifications to properly trim your trees. When trimming, our number one priority is safety. The safety of our employees, as well as the safety of your property and your family. We always recommend hiring a professional to inspect, diagnose, and limb your trees if need be to ensure their continued health of the tree. For more info, give us a call!