Questions To Ask Before Pruning Trees!

Whether you are pruning for the first time or a veteran, it is necessary to have a clear goal inside your head. With proper pruning and trimming, it is possible to maintain the good health and beauty of the trees. However, if you trim and prune for no reason, there are high chances that you will end up regretting later, as you can accidentally harm the trees. 

Here is a list of questions you should question yourself before you hire tree trimming services or prune and trim on your own. So, let’s get started. 

1. Is it the right time of year? 

To your knowledge, the best time of the year to prune trees is during the winter or in the dormant season. Whereas when the sap is blooming in the spring is the worst time to trim or prune. However, it is feasible to get rid of dead branches or a bit of pruning any time of the year. 

   2.   What is the whole sole goal?

The ultimate goal with pruning and trimming is to keep up the health and elegance of the plant. There are a ton of reasons why we prune: maximizing fruit production, keeping trees away from utility lines, or simply removing dead branches. Needless to say, once you have a clear goal in mind, everything else falls into place.

  3. Is a sharp tool needed? 

Yes, it is needed, and that is why loads of people prefer reaching out to professionals for tree pruning and tree trimming services. To prune or trim a tree, sharp tools are required. This is because dull pruners or loppers will not only harm the tree but slow down the overall pace of trimming and pruning trees. For a quick healing process, good clean cuts are needed as well as essential. 

 4. What is the technique to make a proper pruning cut?

At the time of pruning branches, make use of the 3-cut technique. The first cut is just a notch on the underside of the branch to protect the bark from peeling down the trunk. The next cut eliminates most of the branch and should be further away from the trunk than the previous cut. The third cut and the last cut have to be the most précised one. Not to mention, this particular cut should be made as close to the branch collar as possible while still leaving the branch collar intact and unharmed.

5. When is the right time to stop?

If you are planning to prune for the very first time in life, it is important to know and comprehend to what extent shrubs and trees can manage the pruning, as well as trimming to your knowledge, if it is a young, healthy tree, it can be up to 30% of the crown. Older trees can only withstand about 10%. Do not go beyond this limit, or else you will harm the plant. This also suggests that it might take an enormous time such as more than one growing season to achieve your original goal.

All in all, when it comes to pruning, this series of questions is considered the tip of the iceberg. Undoubtedly, it takes years of practice to master the art of pruning as well as trimming.