Tree trimming is best left to the pros. It’s a dangerous job, climbing trees, using chainsaws and lowering heavy branches to the ground; and it can be dangerous for the tree too. Trees that aren’t pruned properly can experience a lifetime of problems.
Rather than 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 result in much healthier trees and a safer environment surrounding your landscaping for many reasons:
- Healthy trees are stronger and less likely to cause damage during severe storms
- Cared for trees don’t attract or spread diseases and parasites
- Trimmed trees produce more flowers or fruit
- Pruned trees provide shade while still allowing air to flow throughout their canopies and your property
AZ Tree Trimming highly suggests pruning trees that are near your house or those that are a focus of your property.
Is Tree Pruning Necessary?
It is not required. But it is important. Trees are very resilient and can survive on their own across the world, in various different climates and regions, without being pruned.
That said, there are a lot of benefits of tree pruning, so it’s recommended for any trees that you care about. This can include sentimental trees, fruit trees and flowering trees or trees that perform an important service for your home, such as shade or home to wildlife.
Tree Pruning Gone Wrong
Trimming a tree is a complicated project. You are going to need the correct equipment and a lot of information to guarantee the job is done correctly. The vast majority of homeowners don’t have either of these!
But that’s not a problem, because there are a lot of services available who know how to correctly prune trees for an affordable cost to you including all of the certified arborists in Arizona we partner with!
Below are the 5 most common mistakes homeowners make when they attempt DIY tree trimming that can lead to several tree problems. These are things that a professional arborist from AZ Tree Trimming will know, and that’s the reason why their services are worth paying for!
Trimming Too Much
When done properly, trimming is a never-ending process. Starting when your trees are just 2 or 3 years old, they should be trimmed by a professional if you value them and want to keep them healthy.
A big mistake homeowners make when trimming trees by themselves is trimming too much of the tree all at once. This occurs because they have let the tree’s growth get out of hand and try to correct it all at once. Ideally, you should only cut off 5-20% of the tree’s crown at the actual removal cut. It is a lot easier to do this during a season that the leaves are off, but an experienced arborist is able to properly prune trees any time of year.
Cutting at the Wrong Place
An experienced tree specialist knows where to trim each limb to protect against damage. This cut should be made just beyond the branch collar, the specific place where the branch connects to the trunk.
Trimming too close to the branch collar exposes the tree to decay, mildew and pests. Cutting too far away from it leaves a stump when the tree recovers. Most DIY tree trimming leads to an improper cut, leaving either aesthetic or structural damage.
Pruning Large Branches
Branches any larger than 4 inches in diameter shouldn’t be trimmed unless it is necessary. Cutting off a branch of this size can result in imbalance in the tree and expose it to insects and decay as the tree recovers from losing such a large branch.
Conservative pruning annually ensures that your tree trimmer only has to cut off branches that are 2-3 inches in diameter, which leads to a more attractive shape for the tree and less chance of harming the tree or exposing it to decay and insects.
Topping the Tree
Tree topping is no longer a type of pruning, and for good reason! During this process, tree trimming companies would cut the top off of the tree to achieve the desired height. It was not attractive nor was it beneficial for the tree, so the majority of arborists do not practice tree topping anymore.
As a DIY tree trimming, you may think this is an easy way to lower the height of your tree with only one cut, but once you have cut the top of a tree off, there’s virtually no chance it will ever return to a natural shape.
The Solution? Call AZ Tree Trimming
Here’s the truth. Your tree may never recover from poor trimming.
Doing this project yourself might seem like a good way to save a little money, but you might end up with way more expenses trying to revive damaged trees, so it’s a lot safer (and more economical in the long run) to hire a certified arborist in Arizona from AZ 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 could take years to correct. The tree could look bad for the remainder of its life, all because of just one pruning mistake.
Improper pruning could also result in death of the tree. Cutting off too many branches (and, therefore, leaves) can alter the tree’s photosynthesis process, which means it won’t get enough water or enough sunlight and carbon dioxide to continue growing.
Cutting too many branches can also send the tree into a state of shock. Shock can be overcome, but it takes a great deal of care and patience. Even with proper maintenance, a tree experiencing shock may still die.
Avoid all of these tree pruning mistakes and call AZ Tree Trimming to speak with a tree care specialist in Arizona able to come up with a long-term plan to ensure your tree continues blossoming and looking beautiful for years to come!
