There are many steps you can take to improve the health and vitality of your trees, though regular tree pruning remains one of the most practical and useful ways to perform general maintenance. If you'd like to keep your yard shaded and healthy for years to come, learn more about this practice below.

Your Tree Pruning Questions Answered

Why should you schedule pruning?

Pruning is the process of removing select branches for the benefit of the tree. By eliminating dead or diseased branches, you can protect the structure from premature failure. Also, by detaching those branches, you can influence the shape and form of the tree and allow it to grow more stably. The idea is to minimize potentially damaging branches that might ultimately compromise the tree in some way, either through illness or poor weight distribution.

Should you prune young trees?

You can think of pruning young trees as part of their growth process. Using this technique to shape the trees and stimulate them to grow in the proper direction with stability and structure can spare them from damage later in life. It'll also prevent them from needing further pruning as they age. By creating a dependable structure early on, you can trust the tree will grow to be healthy and robust.

When is the best time to prune?

You should schedule pruning right away if you notice an errant branch that may threaten to hurt someone or damage property. Do the same if you detect any weakened or otherwise damaged branches that might be diseased. From a seasonal standpoint, it's best to avoid tree pruning late in the spring, as they're already using up plenty of energy to grow foliage, and pruning forces them to work even harder. In general, it's best to schedule strategic pruning during fall or winter.

What about tree topping?

You may be familiar with the concept of tree topping, or removing the very highest points of the structure to minimize its size. However, this type of pruning can be detrimental to the tree, as it no longer needs to create as much foliage as it would under normal conditions. That affects its food supply, which in turn impacts its strength over time and leaves it vulnerable to premature failure.

If you need a tree pruning professional to give your landscape a fresh look, turn to the team at Columbia Tree & Lawn Service. Proudly serving clients throughout Howard, Baltimore, Montgomery, Carroll, and Anne Arundel counties, this company offers a wide range of landscaping services. You can trust in them for tree removal and trimming, along with retaining wall construction and yard drainage solutions. Visit their website for more information on their services, or call (410) 740-5444 to schedule an appointment.