Tree pruning is essential for maintaining healthy, safe, and beautiful woody perennials. The practice removes dying, dead, and diseased branches, promotes healthy growth, maintains canopy shapes, and prevents foliage density issues that restrict airflow and sunlight distribution. If you’re new to tree care, learn more about the service in this brief guide.

What to Know About Tree Pruning

When is the best time to prune?

The best pruning time depends on the type of tree. Flowering breeds benefit from pruning after they bloom to avoid cosmetic issues and growth problems, while deciduous variants prefer winter pruning when they’re dormant.

Pruning causes minimal damage in winter because the trees aren’t actively growing. It’s also easier to see which branches require removal in winter due to the lack of foliage. Evergreen trees generally don’t need pruning, while dead branches should be removed regardless of the season.

What does pruning involve?

Tree care experts customize pruning tactics based on the tree’s age, type, and maintenance needs. They wear protective equipment such as helmets, boots, goggles, and gloves and use climbing equipment depending on the tree’s height and pruning needs.

When removing a branch, an arborist cuts through one-third of the limb from the underside and makes a second cut of the same depth on the top. This results in a clean split that avoids damaging the bark. The remaining stub can then be removed with a downward cut. 

What’s the difference between reducing and pollarding?

Pollarding refers to cutting down major branches on young trees to control their shape and size. It’s usually performed every two years to maintain a growing plant’s desired shape.

Reducing is another tree-safe practice that shortens selected branches to limit a tree’s spread and height. For example, trees that interfere with power lines, roofing systems, and solar panels need reducing.

What are the signs that trees need pruning?

Damaged, diseased, and dead branches require immediate removal to maintain tree health and avoid safety hazards. You should also schedule pruning if you notice many overlapping branches that rub against each other and block air and sunlight. This tree care service is also necessary if branches are too heavy on one side and cause a towering perennial to lean.

Schedule tree pruning with Hill Tree Keepers in Newburgh, NY, to maintain a safe and beautiful property. Founded in 2008, the company provides a comprehensive range of residential and commercial tree care services, including storm cleanup and tree removal. Call (914) 214-7045 to schedule an appointment, or learn more about their pruning and trimming services online. Like their Facebook page for additional tree care tips.