There are many reasons to consider pruning trees on your property, from safety to aesthetics. Although you should hire a professional arborist or tree service for major jobs, you may be able to remove some smaller branches on your own. For the best results, keep the following essential tips in mind.

4 Tips for Success When Pruning Trees

1. Be Safe

If a branch is too high to reach on your own, use a pole pruner tool. Never try to prop a ladder against a tree you’re going to prune. If you can’t reach the branches with a pole pruner, hire an arborist to handle the job. Avoid pruning large branches that hang over your home or other structures on your property, as they could fall and cause damage.

2. Be Consistent

Don’t prune several branches on one side of the tree while leaving the other side untouched. For example, if there are multiple low branches that people have to duck under when walking past the tree, you may want to prune them to add extra clearance. Just make sure you do some pruning on the other side of the tree, as well, to maintain a sense of visual balance.

3. Wait Until Leaves Fall

Unless you’re a professional, you shouldn’t prune trees until they’re bare. If the branches are crowded with leaves, it’s difficult to fully observe the overall structure and shape of the tree. When branches are bare, it’s easier to determine which you should prune and which should be left alone.

4. Cut Right Outside the Branch Collar

The “branch collar” is the area where the branch joins the trunk. If you cut too close to the trunk, it will take a long time for the cut to heal. For the best results, trim immediately outside of the branch collar.

As previously noted, these tips only apply to minor trimming. For more substantial jobs, you’re better off hiring an expert arborist.

 

If you need professional help pruning trees in the St. Charles, MO, area, get in touch with the team at Liscombe Tree Service. They’ll use professional tools and techniques to deliver quality results. Contact them online for more information, or call (314) 650-9055 to speak with a member of their staff.