When it comes to proper tree care, the difference between trimming and pruning may be unclear even to seasoned arbor lovers. When completed by experienced professionals, both services help ensure the health and beauty of trees. Here’s the difference between these two essential maintenance tasks.

Trimming

You don’t have to be an expert to know trees become much less attractive when they grow uncontrolled. Tree trimming is a process devoted to reducing overall growth density, mainly for aesthetic and practical purposes. Trimming involves removing only the outer growth to reduce the overall size and refine the canopy’s shape.

Overgrown arbors also present safety hazards, as they obstruct walkways, block views, and provide pests with unwanted access into your home. Additionally, thick branches can damage a home if they bat against the roof or siding during a storm.

Pruning

Topping is a type of pruning, and it involves removing all smaller limbs and leaving only large structural branches. This thorough process is mostly used to shape or train younger trees. It develops the tree’s limb structure for healthy, balanced growth and strength in the future.

Thinning rejuvenates growth by cutting away branches at their points of origin. This pruning technique allows for more sunlight penetration and air movement to nourish the tree. Another tree care technique is raising, and this task eliminates low branches, providing clearance for safe, easy access around the lower trunk.

Tools

Tools used for trimming and pruning, include shears designed to handle various branch diameters, power and manual saws, and pole pruners to reach higher branches from the ground. Ladders, lifts, and safety harnesses give crews safe access to canopies. When the job is done, wood chippers grind waste material into easily transportable dust.

If you want to have your trees expertly maintained, contact the team at Ohana Tree Services in Mililani, HI. These tree care professionals have provided Oahu homeowners with affordable trimming and pruning services for over 20 years. View their full list of services online, and call (808) 520-0186 to request a free estimate or schedule an appointment.