In case you have a garden on your property, you are likely aware of the importance of pruning your trees already. Not only would an overgrown tree on your property cause inconveniences, but a thick canopy can also block out the sunlight for other nearby plants. Regardless, you should note that there are several types of pruning, each with a specific purpose. Before you get your tree pruned, you should make sure that you are doing it the right way.
Pruning styles that you should know about
Arborists implement different types of tree pruning methods as needed, depending on a tree’s condition and the reason behind pruning it. Knowing about the pruning styles would help you express your requirements better while hiring an arborist. The four main types of pruning are:
- Deadwood pruning
This is a pruning style that involves cutting off dead and decaying branches. Such tree branches are often in an infected state and removing them helps the tree thrive better. Moreover, getting rid of dead branches makes the tree look livelier, enhancing the curb appeal of your property.
Deadwood pruning is also a safety measure, reducing the chances of accidents that could occur from a falling tree branch. Although this is an extremely basic pruning practice, most homeowners ignore it until hazards occur.
- Crown thinning
As the name indicates, this pruning practice refers to thinning a tree’s crown by getting rid of smaller and weaker limbs from its canopy. This reduces the load on the larger limbs below, making them less prone to breaking off during storms.
Moreover, thinning the crown opens the canopy and exposes the inner leaves and branches to more air and sunlight. This, in turn, allows the tree to grow healthier. Do keep in mind that crown thinning may have negative impacts on young or mature trees.
- Crown reduction
To prevent a tree from growing excessively tall and large, crown reduction pruning could prove to be handy. This method involves the selective removal of small, terminal branches near the top of the tree, while preserving the bigger limbs.
Crown reduction prevents a tree from growing too top-heavy. This results in a tree that has a canopy despite being of constrained proportions. However, you might want to note that a successful crown reduction calls for a great deal of expertise. This method is applicable mostly in the case of young trees and helps them grow stronger.
- Crown lifting
Contrary to crown reduction, crown lifting is a pruning process where you remove low-hanging branches and help the plant grow more on the upper parts. This pruning style is especially helpful if the lower branches of a tree are hanging hazardously close to your home or over the road or the sidewalk.
Besides getting rid of branches that cause inconvenience, crown lifting also helps to bring adjust the looks of a tree to bring it in harmony with the surroundings. Do bear in mind that crown lifting can harm mature plants.
How to prune your trees in the right manner?
Pruning a tree is quite different from pruning a plant in your garden. Doing it wrong can result in irreparable damage to the tree. For instance, cutting away too many low-lying branches while crown-lifting a young tree can compromise the integrity of its trunk. You should definitely hire professional pruning services to get the job done.
Certified and experienced arborists can deliver the best pruning results, without harming your trees in any way. In case you are unsure about which type of pruning would be the best, they could also advise you on it and provide you with the best solution.
