Do you have overgrown trees or shrubs on your property?
It may be time to do a little trimming to make your trees look their greatest. Before you grab that pruning tool though, it is important to remember a few key points before doing this type of work.
Here is some advice that we believe will help you with pruning PLUS help you decide whether it’s a job you can do on your own or if you need extra assistance.
Why should you prune?
Generally, trimming and pruning of shrubs and trees is done to improve their overall health and appearance. Plus pruning is done:
- To encourage the development of flowers and fruits
- As part of preventative maintenance for damage from insects and disease such as Black Knot Fungus. Do you have Black Knot Fungus? Check out our blog: Black Knot Fungus – Tips on How to Control It
- To remove dead and unwanted branches to improve the trees appearance and avoid potential damage from dead branches falling during wind storms or during the winter months.
- To shape trees and help control size. For example, pruning shrubby evergreens will help keep them dense and well-proportioned.
What not to do:
- Do not top trees
- Avoid removing large branches as it “leaves stubs that can cause several health problems. It also destroys the plant’s natural shape and promotes suckering and the development of weak branch structures.” (Source: University of Minnesota Extension)
- Do not over prune. According to Gardening Know How, “Over pruning reduces the foliage that’s available for making food for the rest of the plant and can allow pests and diseases access to the tree, if cuts are made incorrectly. Plants may sprout excessively in response to so much canopy loss, both to protect the bark of the plant from sunscald and to increase food production.”
- Do not trim more than 25% to 30% of a tree’s foliage at once
What tools should you use?
Like any job, the right tools will make this task much easier. Depending on the size of the job, the following tools will be handy. In order to have clean cuts, make sure the blades are sharp:
- Pruning shears – Ideal for cutting branches up to 3/4 inches in diameter
- Lopping shears – Lopping shears have long handles and can cut branches up to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Their long handles help provide greater leverage.
- Hand saws – Ideal for cutting branches over 1″ in diameter
- Pole saws – Pole saws have long handles and enable you to extend your reach
When is the best time to prune?
There is never a bad time of year to remove diseased, damaged or dead branches from trees.
It is recommended that more extensive tree trimming and pruning of healthy limbs be completed between late fall and early spring, when the tree or shrub is dormant. But if you have a big job, you may want to contact a local arborist to discuss this in more detail.
If you don’t have the time or tools or you don’t feel comfortable taking on this task on your own, we can help!
Earth Smart Property Solutions offers a trimming and pruning service in our Calgary and Red Deer locations. We can do light pruning and trim dead branches from trees and shrubs up to approximately 12′ in height. This service is available between April and October.
What does our service include?
- Light pruning and shaping of trees up to 12’
- Removal of dead branches up to 12’
- Clean up and removal of debris
Here are some photos of a tree trimming service that we completed for one of our clients to remove unwanted growth and tidy up the tree’s appearance:
BEFORE:
AFTER:
To find out if this service is available in your area, click here.
Please note that we are not professional arborists and simply offer shaping and clean up services of dead branches. If you are searching for a licensed arborist, we would be happy to provide recommendations.
Sources:
Better Homes & Gardens – How to Prune Trees | Better Homes & Gardens (bhg.com)
University of Minnesota Extension – Pruning trees and shrubs | UMN Extension
Gardening Know How: Damage From Over Pruning: Can You Kill A Plant From Over Pruning?
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