tree pruning

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Tree Pruning

Summer pruning

To direct the growth by slowing the branches you do not want or to slow the development of a tree or branch, pruning should be done soon after seasonal growth is complete. The reason for the slowing effect is that you reduce the total leaf surface hence reducing the amount of food manufactured and sent to the roots. Summer pruning is also good for corrective purposes as defective limbs can be seen more easily.

Winter pruning

Pruning during winter is a very common practice as this is the dormancy period. This results to a vigorous burst of new growth in the spring and should be used if that is the desired effect. It is advisable to wait until the coldest part of the winter has passed. Some species like walnuts may “bleed” when the sap begins to flow but this is not harmful and will cease when the leaf falls of.

Pruning flowering trees to enhance flowering

When our purpose for pruning is to enhance flowering, for trees that bloom in spring, we prune when their flowers fade. For those that bloom in the mid to late summer, we prune in winter or in the early spring. We however do not advocate for pruning during fall because decay fungi spread profusely in the fall and the healing wound will take time to heal up.

Reasons to trim or prune a tree

The tree is mainly trimmed for three purposes; safety, health and aesthetics.

Safety :

Dead or broken branches can fall of any time which is a serious safety hazard. Also if branches of a tree obstruct your vision while driving, they should be trimmed away. We also advice that tree or limbs that occasionally grow close to utility lines should be trimmed. We can also contact the utility company to handle such issues.

Health :

It is sometimes possible to save an infected tree by strategically pruning away affected branches and limbs. Thinning the crown of a tree improves airflow which can be very beneficial. If branches are crossing or rubbing together, they should be trimmed to avoid falling unexpectedly.

Aesthetics :

Pruning a tree effectively help to maintain its shape and appearance. It is however not advisable to impose an unnatural shape or size on a tree. The amount of trimming and pruning that will be needed could seriously damage it.

Tree care tips

Trees should be taken care of very much because of the many benefits the pose to use. Any tree owner can take care of their trees by simply ensuring their trees are well watered. Trees are watered according to the climate or season. Although the exact amount of water for trees is difficult to recommend, we provide the following tips; for newly planted trees, they should be watered immediately after being put to the ground and up to two days a day. In the first two years, the tree should also get watered and during the hot seasons to reduce evaporation of the water, mulching should be emphasized. Keeping the water will help in deep root establishment.