You may have noticed some of the limbs in your trees have grown too big or long that they’re beginning to hang over your roof. Perhaps some of the branches have grown to an awkward size which resulted in your tree looking unkempt. Your tree badly needs structural pruning. Structural pruning is a technique that brings out your trees natural beauty and encourages a long and healthy life. Unfortunately, this approach is seldom used by homeowners or done incorrectly, leading to the deterioration of the tree. Learning the important things about structural pruning gives you the power to help your tree have an overall healthy life.
Prune
Pruning is more than just cutting random branches. It requires skills and experience. You have to know when you should prune, how many branches to cut, and the proper way to do it to get a positive result. You don’t just take care of the current problem, but you also prevent other issues from arising. It is crucial to make a plan before you begin cutting limbs. Try to locate which branches tend to grow much faster or those that grow into other limbs and prune them out. Keep in mind that for mature trees, you shouldn’t prune more than 30% of the limb or the tree’s crown as a whole. Do your pruning in an interval, for both young and old trees.
As much as possible, don’t cut very thick limbs away because it leaves space where pests and diseases can foster. Pruning these branches may do your tree more harm than good. Failure to prune your tree, some of the big branches can take all the nutrients the smaller limbs need to grow healthy. If this happens, the branch can grow as large as the trunk and suck up nutrients the trunk needs to have structural integrity. When the branches grow too heavy, it could spell disaster in the years to come, which is why it is crucial to deal with them while you can. When branches grow too big, they can start to grow into each other, which is known as included bark. It collects water and begins to rot that damages and weakens the limb. If included branches are not pruned out, they can fall off during inclement weather and cause damage to your property.
Timing is also essential when pruning. Some trees benefit from winter pruning, while some in summer pruning. It is best to talk to a certified arborist to know what is best for your tree. If you have non-blooming trees in your yard, it is best to prune them in winter when the coldest days have passed. This is the time when they are in a dormant state, and they will not try to collect as much water like in summer and spring. However, this is not the same with spring-blooming trees because it is recommended to prune them once they have bloomed. Their buds grow on the previous year’s growth and not on the current season. Don’t wait for two weeks before pruning your tree, but don’t prune too early. Pruning these trees too soon will make the tree lose its bloom and will make it vulnerable to outside forces such as pests, diseases, and intense weather.
Structural pruning is an integral part of tree maintenance. It can prevent future problems from taking place while making your tree look more attractive and healthy. It keeps your tree’s structural integrity, which is essential for your property’s safety and your family’s as well. Keep in mind that you need to know the right time to prune your tree, using the right approach. Look for signs of diseases and other defects and take care of them as soon as possible. If you find yourself still at a loss, you can always get in touch with a certified arborist in your local community. Ask questions to understand structural pruning and its benefits better.