Tree trimming is best left to professionals. It’s dangerous work, climbing trees, wielding chainsaws and lowering heavy branches to the ground; and it is sometimes dangerous for the tree too. Trees that are improperly pruned can sustain a lifetime of problems.
Rather than putting yourself and putting the tree at risk, call someone who is trained and experienced to do the job for you.
This will result in stronger trees and a safer environment surrounding your home for many reasons:
- Healthier trees are sturdier and less likely to cause damage during severe storms
- Cared for trees don’t attract or spread diseases and parasites
- Pruned trees produce more flowers or fruit
- Pruned trees offer shade while still allowing air to flow through their canopies and your property
OH Tree Trimming highly recommends trimming trees that are near your home or those that are an integral part of your property.
Is Tree Trimming Necessary?
It is not required. But it is important. Trees are hardy and grow on their own across the world, in a variety of different climates and locations, without being trimmed.
That said, there are many benefits of professional tree trimming, so it’s recommended for trees that you care about. This includes sentimental trees, fruit trees and blossoming trees or trees that offer an important service for your home, such as shade or home to wildlife.
Tree Pruning Gone Wrong
Trimming a tree is a difficult task. You need the correct equipment and a lot of information to guarantee the project is done correctly. The vast majority of homeowners don’t have either of these!
But that’s not a problem, because there are several companies available who know how to properly trim trees for an affordable price to you including all of the certified arborists in Ohio we team up with!
Below are the 5 most common mistakes people make when they attempt DIY tree pruning that can lead to many tree problems. These are things that a certified arborist from OH Tree Trimming will know, and that’s the reason why their services are worth the price!
Pruning Too Much
When done the right way, tree pruning is a never-ending process. Starting when your trees are only 2 or 3 years old, they should be looked after by an expert if you value them and desire to keep them healthy.
A huge mistake homeowners often make when pruning trees themselves is cutting too much of the tree at a time. This happens because they let the tree’s growth get out of control and try to fix it all at once. Ideally, you should only cut off 5-20% of the tree’s crown at the actual removal cut. It is easier to do this during a time of year that there are no leaves, but an experienced arborist is able to properly prune trees any time of year.
Trimming in the Wrong Place
A certified tree specialist knows exactly where to trim each limb to prevent damage. This cut should be made just beyond the branch collar, the exact place where the branch connects to the tree trunk.
Cutting too close to the branch collar exposes the tree to decay, mildew and pests. Cutting too far from it leaves an unsightly stump when the tree recovers. Most DIY tree pruning leads to an improper cut, leaving either aesthetic or structural problems.
Trimming Large Branches
Branches any larger than 4 inches in diameter shouldn’t be trimmed unless it is necessary. Cutting off a branch this large can cause imbalance in the tree and expose it to pests and rodents and rot as the tree recovers from such a large loss.
Conservative trimming every year ensures that your tree trimmer only has to cut off branches that are 2-3 inches in diameter, which leads to a more attractive shape for the tree and less risk of harming the tree or exposing it to decay and insects.
Topping the Tree
Tree topping is no longer a type of pruning, and for good reason! In this process, tree trimming companies would just cut the top off of the tree to achieve the desired height. It was not attractive nor beneficial for the tree, so the majority of tree care companies do not practice tree topping currently.
As a DIY tree trimming, you may think this is an easy way to lower the height of your tree with just a single cut, but once you have cut off the top of a tree, there’s virtually no chance that it will ever regain a natural shape.
The Solution? Call OH Tree Trimming
Let’s face it. Your tree may never recover from bad trimming.
Performing this job yourself might seem like a good way to save money, but you could end up with way more expenses trying to revive damaged trees, so it’s really safer (and more economical in the long run) to hire a certified arborist in Ohio from OH Tree Trimming.
Limbs aren’t going to grow back. The tree will grow more, but not in the same places, which produces strange shapes that could take years to correct. The tree could end up looking bad for the remainder of its life, all because of a single trimming mistake.
Bad trimming could also cause death of the tree. Removing too many limbs (and, therefore, leaves) can affect the tree’s photosynthesis process, which means it won’t get all of the water it needs or enough carbon dioxide and sunlight to continue growing.
Cutting too many branches could also send the tree into a state of shock. Shock isn’t always permanent, but it takes a great deal of care and patience. Even with the right maintenance, a tree experiencing shock may still die.
Avoid all of these tree pruning mistakes and call OH Tree Trimming to speak with a tree care specialist in Ohio able to devise a plan to ensure your tree continues blossoming and looking beautiful for years to come!
