How to Prune Your Trees
Tree pruning
Trees are an important part of the landscape because they provide shade and can attract wildlife to your yard. The garden requires regular maintenance and to do well, the trees require as well. It’s very important to remove any dead, rotten or damaged branches for the health and safety of the tree. These could pose a threat to people or property in the event of inclement weather. Grabbing a saw and starting to cut away the problem branches is one way to deal with this, but with proper pruning techniques you can benefit the tree and help avoid potential problems in the future. Below is a guide to help you with your pruning chores and won’t cause unnecessary damage to your trees.
1.) The first thing to do is take a walk around the tree and assess the situation. Have a plan rather then just start cutting away and realize once it’s too late you took out something you shouldn’t have. Never cut the top of the tree off. This can cause additional branching and as the tree ages it may not be able to properly support the splitting of the trunk.
2.) Once you have determined what branches need to be removed you can begin the cutting. Cut the branch off as close to the trunk as possible in a parallel direction. If the branch is large and likely to fall before the cut is finished you should begin with a cut at the bottom of the branch and make sure you cut at least a 1/2” into the branch all around the bottom. More if the branch is very large. This will help prevent any unnecessary damage to the tree from ripping when the branch falls.
3.) Once the cut is made apply a good coat of pruning sealer to the open wound. Exterior paint can be used. This will help keep insects and disease out and depending on the size of the cut and the health of the tree new bark will grow over the wound covering up any sign of the cut.
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