Tree pruning is best left to the pros. It’s a dangerous job, climbing trees, using chainsaws and lowering heavy tree limbs to the ground; and it is sometimes dangerous for the tree as well. Trees that aren’t pruned correctly can experience a lifetime of problems.
Instead of putting yourself and the tree itself at risk, call someone who is trained and experienced to do it for you.
This will result in healthier trees and a safer environment near your home for many reasons:
- Healthy trees are sturdier and less likely to cause damage during storms
- Cared for trees won’t attract or spread parasites and diseases
- Trimmed trees produce more flowers or fruit
- Pruned trees provide shade while still allowing air to flow throughout their canopies and your landscaping
IL Tree Trimming highly suggests pruning trees that are near your house or all that are a focus of your landscape.
Is Tree Trimming Necessary?
It is not required. But it is important. Trees are very strong and can survive on their own everywhere in the world, in many different climates and regions, without trimming.
That said, there are a lot of benefits of professional tree trimming, so it’s highly recommended for trees that you value. This includes sentimental trees, fruit trees and flowering trees or trees that perform an important service for your home, such as shade or wildlife habitat.
Tree Trimming Gone Wrong
Trimming a tree is a complicated task. You are going to need the right equipment and a lot of information to guarantee the job is done correctly. The vast majority of homeowners don’t have either of these!
But that’s not a problem, because there are plenty of professionals available who know exactly how to properly trim trees for an affordable cost to you including all arborists in Illinois we team up with!
Here are the 5 most common mistakes people make when attempting DIY tree trimming that can lead to many tree problems. These are things that a professional arborist from IL Tree Trimming will know, and that’s exactly why their services are worth paying for!
Pruning Too Much
When done properly, trimming is an ongoing process. Starting when your trees are just 2 or 3 years old, they should be care for by an arborist if you value them and intend to keep them strong and healthy.
A big mistake people often make when pruning trees by themselves is trimming too much of the tree at a time. This occurs because they let the tree’s growth get out of control and try to fix it all immediately. Ideally, you should not cut off more than 5-20% of the tree’s crown at the actual removal cut. It is a lot easier to do this during a time of year that there are no leaves, but an experienced arborist will be able to properly prune trees any time of year.
Trimming in the Wrong Place
An experienced arborist knows exactly where to cut each limb to prevent damage. This cut should occur just beyond the branch collar, the exact place where the branch connects to the trunk.
Cutting too close to the branch collar exposes the tree to decay, mildew and pests. Cutting too far from it leaves a stump when the tree has recovered. Most DIY tree pruning leads to an improper cut, leaving either structural or aesthetic problems.
Pruning Large Branches
Branches any larger than 4 inches in diameter really shouldn’t be trimmed unless it is absolutely necessary. Cutting off a branch of this size can lead to imbalance in the tree and expose it to pests and rodents and rot as the tree recovers from losing such a big branch.
Conservative trimming once each year ensures that the company only has to cut off branches that are 2-3 inches in diameter, which produces a more attractive shape for the tree and less chance of hurting the tree or exposing it to disease and insects.
Topping the Tree
Tree topping is no longer a type of pruning, and for good reason! During this service, tree trimming companies would just cut the top off of the tree to get the desired height. It was not attractive nor was it beneficial for the tree, so the majority of tree care companies do not practice tree topping anymore.
As a DIY tree pruning, you might think this is an easy way to lower the height of your tree with only a single cut, but once you have cut off the top of a tree, there’s virtually no chance that it will ever return to a natural shape.
The Solution? Call IL Tree Trimming
Here’s the truth. Your tree may never recover from poor pruning.
Performing this job yourself might seem like a good way to save money, but you might end up with way more cost trying to revive damaged trees, so it’s a lot safer (and more economical in the long run) to hire a certified arborist in Illinois from IL Tree Trimming.
Limbs aren’t going to grow back. The tree will grow more, but it will not grow back in the same places, which can result in strange shapes that could require years to correct. The tree could end up looking bad for the rest of its life, all because of just one pruning mistake.
Incorrect pruning could also lead to death of the tree. Removing too many limbs (and, therefore, leaves) can inhibit the tree’s photosynthesis process, meaning it won’t get enough water or enough carbon dioxide and sunlight to continue growing.
Cutting off too many branches might also send the tree into a state of shock. Shock isn’t always permanent, but it takes a lot of care and patience. Even with proper maintenance, a tree undergoing shock may still die.
Avoid all of these tree trimming mistakes and call IL Tree Trimming to speak with a tree care specialist in Illinois able to customize a long-term plan to ensure your tree continues blossoming and looking beautiful for years to come!
