Tree Trimming & Pruning: Tips & Techniques

Dec 29

If you have a basic understanding of tree cutting and trimming, you may be able to do the majority of this job yourself. There are several effective methods to keep your trees looking great. If you have the knowledge and tools necessary to prune your trees effectively and to preserve their health and appearance and remove any potentially hazardous dead branches or other issues, you may be able to do so.

Although there are many methods for tree pruning, the most important thing is to focus on the basics. You can always hire an expert. For additional information, refer to Kansas City Tree Trimmers instructions.

Most people trim trees for safety, beauty, or health. Take a look at the following scenario.

Aesthetics – Pruning can help a tree keep its form and appearance. It is not a good idea to force a tree to grow in an unnatural shape. You could endanger it by excessive trimming or pruning.

Safety - Dead or damaged branches and limbs could fall at any moment, posing a significant safety threat. It is important to trim tree limbs that block your view while driving if they are obstructing your eyesight. Finally, sometimes tree limbs or branches may grow dangerously close by utility lines. Contact the utility company to resolve these problems.

Health - Sometimes pruning off infected branches or limbs strategically can save a tree. The crown of a tree can be trimmed to increase airflow. This can be very beneficial. To avoid branches falling off, you should trim them or remove them if they are rubbing against one another.

General Pruning Guidelines

It is best to trim or prune a tree when it is dormant. A pine tree can be cut at any time but it is better to do it during its dormant season. There is one exception: when it is dangerous.
Remember the size and shape of the branch you will be removing. If the diameter is less than five cm, you can remove it. It's not recommended to remove anything with a diameter greater than five to ten centimeters. If the diameter exceeds 10 centimeters, it is best to not do that unless you have compelling reasons.
Be sure to trim branches with narrow, weak angles. Branch with strong U-shaped angles is best kept. At the point where the stem is attached, the lateral branches should measure half to three-quarters of their diameter. If they are not, they must be removed.
The ratio of the tree's height to the living crown should be 2/3 when the pruning is done.
If the branches are still young, you can trim them. These branches are much easier to manage at that stage and you have a lower chance of leaving unsightly marks.
A branch that is too short or too close to the ground should not be cut. The branch collar should be removed and the stub left.

Tree Pruning Techniques

The following tips and techniques will assist you in pruning trees.

Thinning of Crown

Particularly for young trees, it is important to keep the lateral branches as evenly spaced and balanced as possible.

Remove branches that run or cross against adjoining branches.

Never remove more that a quarter of your living crown at once. If you have to take out more than that, spread it over several years.

Raising the Crown

You can remove the crown of a tree for pedestrians and other purposes. Living branches should not exceed two-thirds the height of a tree. Too many branches around the base of the tree could cause the tree to lose its ability to form a strong stem.

The reduction of the crown

If more than half the branch is to be removed, you can remove the whole branch.

Only trim the crown of a tree if absolutely necessary. Removing lateral branches less than one-third the size of the stem is not recommended.

Tree Trimmers Kansas City

1503 N 5th St, Kansas City, KS 66101, USA

(913) 382 8880