There are a number of things that you should consider before trimming a tree or pruning it. There are a lot of tips and techniques that can help you effectively trim a tree. Even the slightest miscalculation could be very dangerous as it can lead to the tree’s harm or yours. Tree removal can often be avoided down the road if you correctly and routinely trim your larger trees. Some of the tips that you should consider when you are trimming a tree are:
- Always know that it is best to trim or prune a tree during its dormant season. You can prune a pine tree at any time, but it is still better to do so when it is dormant.
- Be very conscious about the size of the branch that you are removing. If it is of very small size, say, for instance, 5cm in diameter, it is okay to remove it. If it is between 5 and 10 cm in diameter, it will not exactly be a great thing to do. If it is more than 10 cm, and if you want to trim it, you should have a really good enough reason.
- Only trim branches that are weak and are V-shaped and narrow angles. Try and retain branches that have strong, U-shaped angles.
- Try to prune branches when they are young. It becomes much easier to manage them at that point, and the risk of leaving scars while cutting is very low.
- Do not trim a branch too close or too long.
These are some of the tips that you should follow when you have a tree trimming plan in your head. Now when it comes to actually trim those trees, you not only require tips, but you require a lot of techniques that you should use too. Some of them are:
- Always look for the branch collar before making a cut. It grows from the stem tissue at the bottom base of the branch. Also look for the branch ridge. It is on the upper surface and is parallel to the branch angle at the stem.
- Always try to angle your cut down and away from the stem and always cut outside the brank bark ridge.
- Use the same technique with dead branches and living branches.
- Use the three-cut technique for stems that are too long – Make a notch on the side of the stem that faces away from the branch that’s being held; make the second cut inside the crotch of the branch and above the branch ridge; the third cut will remove the stub by cutting through the stem parallel to the branch bark ridge.
For more information see Jeff Samuelson with Alter Tree Service Clarksville