Tree Pruning Tips and Techniques

Tree pruning is an essential form of maintenance that can increase the lifespan of your trees by preventing rot, disease, and other issues from taking root. In fact, a recent study from Science Direct found that “well-pruned trees are not only able to maintain tree health but also will provide a safe environment and enhance the aesthetic value.” 

As such, tree pruning should become part of your garden or landscape maintenance routine, whether you’re looking to accelerate the growth of your trees or simply make them look a bit nicer. However, if you’ve never completed this task before, it can be hard to know where to begin. 

In this article, we’ll share some of the best tree pruning tips and techniques so that you can improve your practice and take better care of your trees! 

Tips & Techniques

1. Get the timing right.

To achieve optimal results through pruning, it is essential that you prune at the optimal time of year, typically during the tree’s dormant season. For many trees, this tends to be the fall or winter months, as they enter dormancy in order to “prevent the loss of water, nutrients, and avoid the damage cold temperatures produce.” Many studies have shown that pruning during this time encourages growth in the new year. 

However, you must do your research ahead of time, as it is better to prune some trees, such as stone fruit trees, in the summer, as this can help to accelerate health growth throughout the year. 

2. Invest in the right tools. 

To ensure you are pruning as effectively as possible, it's crucial that you invest in the right tools. For example, if you do not already own them, you may need to buy pruning shears, loppers, and a pruning saw. You can buy these tools online or at specialist gardening stores. 

You should also ensure that you wear protective equipment, such as goggles and a helmet, when carrying out these tasks, as this can help you to stay safe, especially when working at height.

3. Perfect your techniques. 

There are many different types of pruning, and you must learn the different techniques and approaches you can take to reach your goals. Common pruning techniques include: 

• Crown Thinning. This is the process of removing some of the branches that form the tree’s ‘crown,’ which can help ensure that the inner branches receive enough light. 
• Crown Reduction. This is the process of removing some of the inner branches to ensure that a tree does not become top-heavy. 
• Dead Pruning. This is the process of removing dead or damaged branches from your tree to prevent the spread of rot, disease, and other issues.
• Crown Lifting. This is the process of removing the lower branches of the tree, which encourages growth over time. 
• Pollarding. This is the process of removing upper branches to encourage the growth of foliage. 

As such, the techniques you use when pruning your own trees will likely be determined by your end goal - are you trying to accelerate growth or looking to improve the aesthetics of your trees? Either way, you should research each of the above techniques ahead of time to ensure that you are putting your best foot forward when embarking on this task. 

4. Bring in the experts.

Tree pruning, or tree trimming, is an essential task when it comes to improving the health of your trees, but it can also be rather complex. After all, you may encounter issues due to improper technique or a lack of understanding. Furthermore, if you over-prune, you risk causing further damage. For example, one study found that over-pruning could lead to “diminished tree crown capacity and exposure to fungal infection.” 

You can eliminate all the above concerns by working with a company that is experienced in tree pruning and removal, such as Arbor Max Tree Service. After all, our team of experts has years of experience in this area, meaning that we’re able to prune or trim your trees effectively, enabling you to reach your goals. Not only will this give you greater peace of mind, but it also means that you can save yourself a lot of time and hard work!

If you’d like to find out more, please do not hesitate to get in touch today. We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have about our services!