Having a nice tree on your property can be a great amenity for your home. A large tree will provide you with some significant curb appeal and shade during the summer months. This could help to keep your home cool, which could even save on utility bills. While there are plenty of advantages that come with having a tree, there are some maintenance obligations as well. This includes keeping your tree properly trimmed. There are a variety of tree trimming tips that you should follow.
Don’t Prune for No Reason
Many people that own trees may feel that pruning and trimming them is something that needs to be done on an annual basis. However, you should not feel compelled to trim your tree if it is not necessary. In fact, most trees can go multiple years between major trimming services. If your tree does not appear overgrown and is not causing any safety hazards, you should avoid trimming it entirely.
Know Your Limitations
Depending on the size of the tree and the amount of branches that need to be cut down, you may want to avoid doing the work on your own. Larger trees can be rather complicated to trim and it could include using ladders, power saws and other tools. If you are not experienced with this type of work, it could be dangerous to do it on your own. In these situations, you should leave the work to the professionals.
Contact Utility Companies when Necessary
One concern that you may have with your tree is that there are branches that are extending over power lines. While it would make sense to have these branches removed, you should not do these on your own. Instead, you should contact your utility company to see how they want to have these branches handled. This could help you to avoid making a mistake that could cause an electrical outage or other hazard.
Leave Young Trees Alone
If you have recently planted a tree in your yard, it is natural to want to take care of it as much as you can. However, you should avoid trimming these trees for at least a couple of years. Young trees need to be left alone as much as possible, which will help them to grow and thrive. Unless there is a branch that is causing a safety hazard, you should leave a tree alone for at least the first two years of its life.
Know Amount to Trim and Prune
If you are going to trim the tree, you should also make sure that you do not over=trim or prune it. Most of the time, you should limit the pruning and trimming to just 25% of the branches. This will help to ensure that you do not cut down too much, which could stunt future growth and health of your tree.
Know When to Trim Trees
During the late spring months when a tree starts to fully bloom it can be apparent that it is due for some trimming and pruning. However, it could be a good option for you to wait to have this service done until later in the year. The ideal time for tree trimming is during the late fall or even over the winter. At this time of the year, the tree’s growth will be somewhat dormant. If you choose to trim the tree during this time, it could be better for the tree as you will not be halting its growth or progress in any way.
Tree trimming can be a great way to keep your trees healthy and looking great. If you do have trees in your yard that require trimming, it is important to be safe and do a great job. There are a variety of tips that can be followed that can help you to trim your trees properly.