Trees are like the superheroes of our planet because they work hard at providing shade, cleaning the air, and making everything look amazing. Giving young trees a trimming here and there gives them a good start toward growing up strong and healthy. Let’s learn how to do it right.
Why Trim Young Trees?
Trimming young trees helps them develop a strong structure. This is because trimming a tree helps guide its branches to grow in the right direction so that it doesn’t become top-heavy or have weak spots. It also helps prevent diseases and pests from taking hold. A healthy tree is a happy tree.
When to Trim
The best time to trim young trees is during their dormant season, which is usually late winter or early spring before they start growing new leaves. This is when they’re taking a little break and can handle the trim without getting stressed. Trees can also heal from their wounds much quicker.
Tools of the Trade
You’ll need a few tools to trim your trees. Hand pruners are great for smaller branches, while loppers are better for thicker ones. If you have really high branches, you might need a pruning saw. Because you do not want to damage the tree or injure yourself, you need to work with an arborist to get the job done. They have the training to operate these tools correctly, and they know how to remain safe while working. Sure, you may think you can find some tutorial on YouTube or Instagram and follow it closely; however, that does not compare to the years of training an arborist receives.
Making the Cut
When you’re trimming, look for branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. These can cause wounds that make the tree vulnerable to diseases. Also, remove any branches that are growing inward toward the center of the tree. You need to keep the center open for good airflow. A tree with all its branches tangled is in an unhealthy situation where it can’t thrive.
Don’t Overdo It
It’s important not to trim too much at once. A good rule of thumb is to remove no more than 25% of the tree’s canopy (the leafy part) in a single year. This gives the tree time to recover and continue growing strong. Of course, a professional arborist knows this — a good reason to hire them to trim your trees and not try to do this yourself.
When you follow these tips, you can help your young trees grow strong and healthy. For tree trimming help in Auburn, AL, call our expert arborists at Tree and Green Services, and we will do our utmost to ensure that your trees grow and thrive.
