If you are looking for the best way to trim your trees, try tree pruning. Pruning is different from tree trimming because it can alter the shape and growth of your trees branches. When you have decided to prune your trees, keep in mind the following things.

What is Pruning

Tree pruning deals with the removal of diseased or damaged branches of trees in order to keep the tree healthy. Not only will tree pruning increase the lifespan of your tree, it will enhance the shape and growth. Tree pruning is crucial to keep your tree standing tall and strong.

Tree pruning will also promote better growth and better air circulation. It is used to remove obstructing lower branches to shape trees. Tree pruning can prevent harmful destruction of sidewalks, pavements or driveways.

How to Prune

Before you prune your tree, determine what and why certain areas need to be pruned. Create your plan and then begin pruning. There are many tools you will need to prune a tree. A few tools that we recommend using are:

• Rope Saw
• Pole Pruner and Lopper
• Folding Pruner
• Portable Buck Saws

When you prune a tree, you are creating wounds. If pruning is done correctly, it can help the tree; if done incorrectly, your trees may die. Trees do not heal their wounds or grow branches where they were previously cut off. Rather than healing their wounds, they seal them, which creates a donut looking callus. No matter the size of your branch, if you do not cut it properly, it can damage the entire tree.

Pruning a tree is a three step cutting process. To make a correct prune follow these three important cuts:

Cut 1: Make a small wedge cut into the underside of the branch. Make this cut about a foot away from the base of the branch. Doing this will break the path of flow at a point and prevent a tear from running through the entire tree.

Cut 2: About a foot farther from your first cut, start from the top of the branch and cut all the way through. This will leave a long stub that will be easier to prune in the final step.

Cut 3: Parallel the end of the stub you have just created cut down the stub as close to the base as possible.

When to Prune Trees

Deciding the right time to trim or prune your trees is very important. You want your tree to be able to recover from the cut you are making. Although you want to remove the damaged or dead branches as soon as possible, there is a right and a wrong time to perform pruning. It is important to prune in the following seasons.

Winter

Winter is the most dormant season in the year. Pruning in the winter will result in massive growth during the following season. It is important to wait until the coldest part of winter has passed so that the sap can flow.

Summer

If you prune in the summer, you can direct or stunt the growth of your tree. By cutting the branches you do not want in the summer can keep them from growing back again. You can also prune in the summer to correct defective limbs. Hanging or limp limbs that are hanging too low from the weight of leaves will be stunted from growing back again.