When thinning, reducing and shaping branches and limbs small enough to cut with hand tools, keep in mind that your cuts are going to encourage new growth. Too much foliage can result in trees being top heavy and falling over easier in storms while falling branches may damage a house or plants below. When pruning trees, take a moment to assess if tree branches are becoming too close to safety lights, electrical lines or are blocking traffic views.ĭepending on where you live, it is also important to prune trees to thin out branches and dead limbs before hurricane seasons. Trimming the trees in your yard creates a safe environment for your family and friends.ĭead branches, diseased trees and weak limbs are all a danger to people and property. Safety concerns are not often considered, but they're definitely a good reason to prune your trees. While well-pruned trees are healthier, they are also stronger.

By pruning and trimming trees in specific ways, you can encourage fruiting and flowering, shape plants into specific forms and control plant size. Landscape maintenance and appearance pruning combine to create the ideal plant you envision. By helping a tree establish one main tree and a dominant leader, you create a strong tree that's ultimately able to withstand winter storms and high winds. Opening up the canopy to let light and air filter throughout the entire tree allows for increased foliage while decreasing the risk of disease.Īt the ground level, suckers and water sprouts weaken wood and steal nutrients from the main tree. Pruning for plant health focuses on removing dead, dying and diseased branches, branches that rub together, and any branch stubs so the entire tree continues to grow in a healthy way. But before you can learn how to trim a tree properly, you need to know why you should trim a tree. Although trees do grow quite naturally without pruning, this routine landscape maintenance allows your trees to reach their full potential and live a long life. Tree limbs are pruned for multiple reasons, all of which result in a better looking and better performing tree.

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