Tree trimming is best left to the pros. It’s dangerous work, climbing trees, using chainsaws and dropping heavy branches to the ground; and it can be dangerous for the tree as well. Trees that aren’t pruned correctly can experience a lifetime of issues.
Rather than putting yourself in harm’s way and putting the tree at risk, hire a professional who is trained and experienced to do it for you.
This will result in healthier trees and a safer environment near your landscaping for many reasons:
- Healthy trees are stronger and not as likely to cause damage during severe storms
- Maintained trees won’t attract or spread diseases and parasites
- Trimmed trees produce more flowers or fruit
- Pruned trees provide shade and allow air to flow through their canopies and your property
CO Tree Trimming highly encourages trimming trees that are very close to your house or any that are a focus of your property.
Is Tree Trimming Necessary?
It is not required. But it is important. Trees are resilient and are able to grow on their own all over the world, in many different climates and locations, without being pruned.
That said, there are several benefits of tree trimming, so it’s definitely recommended for any trees that you care about. This can include sentimental trees, fruit trees and blossoming trees or trees that perform an important service for your house, such as shade or home to wildlife.
Tree Pruning Gone Wrong
Pruning a tree is a difficult task. You are going to need the correct equipment and a lot of information to ensure the project is done right. The majority of homeowners don’t have any of these!
But that’s OK, because there are a lot of services out there who know how to correctly prune trees for an affordable cost to you including all of the certified arborists throughout Colorado we work with!
Here are the 5 most common mistakes homeowners make when attempting DIY tree trimming that can lead to many tree problems. These are things that a professional arborist from CO Tree Trimming will know, and that’s exactly why their services are worth the price!
Pruning Too Much
When done correctly, tree pruning is an ongoing process. Beginning when your trees are just 2 or 3 years old, they should be care for by an expert if you care about them and desire to keep them strong and healthy.
A huge mistake people often make when trimming trees themselves is cutting too much of the tree at a time. This occurs because they 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 final removal cut. It is easier to do this during a season that the leaves are off, but an experienced arborist will be able to properly prune trees any time of year.
Trimming in the Wrong Place
A trained tree specialist knows where to trim each limb to prevent 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 has recovered. Most DIY tree pruning results in an improper cut, leaving either aesthetic or structural issues.
Trimming Large Branches
Branches any larger than 4 inches in diameter shouldn’t be trimmed unless it is absolutely necessary. Cutting off a branch of this size can lead to imbalance in the tree and expose it to pests and rodents and rot as the tree recovers from losing such a large branch.
Conservative trimming once each year guarantees that your tree trimmer only has to cut off branches that are 2-3 inches in diameter, which produces a more attractive shape for the tree and less risk of hurting the tree or exposing it to disease and pests.
Topping the Tree
Tree topping is an outdated type of pruning, and for good reason! During this service, tree trimming companies would just cut the top off of the tree to achieve the desired height. It was neither attractive nor was it beneficial for the tree, so the majority of arborists do not practice tree topping currently.
As a DIY tree trimming, you may think this is a good way to reduce 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 it will ever return to a natural shape.
The Solution? Call CO Tree Trimming
Let’s face it. Your tree may never recover from bad trimming.
Doing this project yourself might seem like a way to save money, but you might end up with way more expenses trying to revive damaged trees, so it’s really safer (and more economical in the long run) to hire a certified arborist in Colorado from CO Tree Trimming.
Limbs don’t grow back. The tree will grow more, but not in the same places, which causes strange shapes that might take years to fix. The tree might end up looking bad for the remainder of its life, all because of a single pruning error.
Improper pruning could also lead to death of the tree. Cutting off too many branches (and, therefore, leaves) can alter the tree’s photosynthesis process, meaning it won’t get all of the water it needs or enough sunlight and carbon dioxide to continue healthy growth.
Cutting off too many branches might also send the tree into a state of shock. Shock can be overcome, but it takes a great deal of patience and care. Even with proper care, a tree undergoing shock may still die.
Avoid all of these tree pruning mistakes and call CO Tree Trimming to speak with a tree care specialist in Colorado able to customize a long-term plan to ensure your tree continues blossoming and looking beautiful for years to come!
