Basics of Home Tree Pruning
Plants, flowers, shrubs, vines and trees all grow and eventually need pruning. Pruning is used to improve the tree shape of a home tree and remove diseased branches, while controlling the size, as well as encouraging new growth. Pruning does not have to be intimidating if you understand the basics and why and when to prune. Keep these tips in mind for trimming an at home tree to make tree maintenance a breeze.
Step 1
Maintain your cutting equipment. Always work like a professional using clean and sharp clippers, pruners or shears. Trying to cut through a tree branch even with a small girth becomes a challenge when using dull clippers. Keep them sharp just like the knives you use in your kitchen.
Although, you may not see obvious signs of dirt on a pair of clippers, diseases, spores and bacteria can be on the blades and transmitted from one tree to another. For example, if you must trim a diseased branch from a tree, the disease could be transmitted to the next tree or bush that you cut via the clippers.
Step 2
Check a home tree regularly for diseased branches and storm damage. Partially broken or damaged branches are an accident waiting to happen. The next wind storm can easily yank off a branch and send it sailing through the air like a missile. Trimming diseased branches helps to slow or stop the progression of disease through the tree.
Step 3
Learn why you should prune a home tree. Prune out dead branches that will become a hazard. Cut out diseased and dying branches to prevent spread of disease. Shape a home tree to keep it looking well-kept and neat. Prune trees that are growing too closely together. Cut out crossed branches. Trim branches that are growing too close to power lines or the side of a house or garage.
Step 4
Let a new home tree have time to become established after planting. Trees, shrubs, and flowers all go through some form of transplant shock even when you are very careful. Soil conditions, wind and sun exposure are all new to a home tree when it is first planted in your yard. Unless there is obvious damage to some of the limbs, let the tree acclimate to the new conditions of your yard and begin shaping a year after you plant.
Step 5
Maintain the shape of older established trees with minimal amounts of pruning. An older home tree should already have the basic shape determined after years of trimming. If you decide to do major trimming for reshaping older trees, expect a lot of work because of the size of tree limbs. In some cases, it may be necessary to hire a professional for trimming older trees.
Step 6
Trim out dying, damaged, broken or dead branches. These can be identified by flaking bark, brown limbs, dead leaves or brittle branches. Wilting leaves and discolored bark can be signs of a dying branch. Look for insect damage and signs of insect eggs in branches that could be killing the home tree and cut them out.
Tips
Unless a branch is damaged and becomes a hazard, you do not have to trim a home tree immediately. Take time to examine a tree and determine what branches need to pruned if any.
