Like a big number of property owners, you probably understand the need to trim your trees from time to time. Nevertheless, you may have being putting it off such a task due to a variety of reasons. One of the most prevalent preoccupation among property owners is the risk of harming or in the extreme, killing their beloved trees. It is important to note that trimming a tree indiscriminately and improperly can kill it. Having dead trees in your yard is hazardous, costly to remove and lastly, can significantly detract on your property’s value.
However, despite all this, the right trimming of trees is actually good for their wellbeing and health when done every now and then. When done suitably, trimming trees will fortify their strength instead of injuring or weakening them. As such, when done properly, it may prove to be one of the best things you could ever do for your trees. Among other benefits, tree trimming promotes optimal growth, particularly when planting or even transplanting young trees. It also keeps trees healthy and reinvigorates their vitality. Tree trimming as well regulates trees’ forms and makes them more visually appealing.
If the tree in question bears fruits, trimming may enable it to produce more and better fruits. Finally, tree trimming will aid you in eliminating branches that grow dangerously close to overhead powerlines or other structures in close proximity to the tree in question. Yet, there are certain restrictions when it comes to trimming trees. To begin with, if you feel you aren’t up to the task, it will be prudent to enlist the services of a seasoned Tree-Service-Kansas-City professional. Secondly, one of the errors many property owners commit is to put off tree trimming for years on end and then when they do it, do it too severely.
What is the right time to perform tree trimming?
On the other hand, tree trimming needs to be done at the ideal moment. Generally speaking, the right time to carry out this arboricultural procedure on living branches is during the tree’s dormant season, which for most trees is late winter. You might also trim trees at the start of the spring season before the commencement of growth.
Ideally, many a tree may be trimmed at any given moment. However, there are some that are vulnerable to catch diseases, and been infested with insects when trimmed during the hot summer season. For instance, oaks along with elms should be trimmed from December to February in order to minimize the possibility of contracting oak wilt and Dutch elm disease respectively.
So, when you make sure you conduct tree trimming over the course of the colder season, their wounds will heal prior to the hot and humid season, which can cause fungal growth. Alternatively, some trees experience bleeding after undergoing this procedure or when their limbs are damaged. From a visual standpoint, this might seem dangerous, but normally triggers no concern for the tree’s health so long as it does not attract pests. For these sorts of trees, tree trimming is best done during the dormant growth periods.
The tree’s plumbing system
Before doing any tree trimming, it will be prudent to fully comprehend how trees usually respond to this arboricultural procedure’s cuts. To this end, consider every stem (branches or twigs) as a channel through which nutrients and water for growth are transported.
When you divert this free flow of nutrients and water by trimming, you will be able to better shape your tree. Doing this curbs growth in one direction and speeds it in a more advantageous way. While trimming, the most essential components you should always consider are the buds.
In essence, buds influence the exact direction trees grow. There happens to be 3 kinds of buds, which are lateral buds, latent buds and terminal buds. While performing this procedure, take all the time to pick those buds that are growing in the direction you desire. Additionally, select those buds which are pointing outside of the tree. Such buds are more suitable since trimming them will not interfere with the tree’s internal system.
At the same time, terminal buds, otherwise known as end buds, determine the upward and outward growth of branches. When they are eliminated, the lateral buds near to them will inherit their strength and growth. In other words, when terminal buds are trimmed, the tree will grow side branches.
On the flipside, buds that are located on the sides of limbs are known as lateral buds. These varieties of tree buds grow into leaves, and in the long run, form scaffold branches. When lateral buds are eliminated, a tree’s growth will be transferred to the terminal buds. Lastly, tree buds which are dormant for years on end, are known as latent buds.
These sorts of buds only begin to grow when the tree’s other branches sustain damage, and they have to realign the fragile equilibrium between their crown size and their roots.
Start to carry out tree trimming when your trees are still young
Essentially, you should start practicing this arboricultural technique when you first plant your trees. First of all, do away with broken or damaged branches. In most cases than not, such limbs may be diseased and their elimination will prevent infection spreading to other healthy parts of a tree.
In the case of trees that are transplanted, trim them in order to compensate for their growth. Prior to trees been transplanted, there exists a natural and healthy equilibrium between their crowns and their roots. The roots and crowns depend on both each other to manufacture food for trees. During the transplanting process, many roots are severed. Therefore, to restore the tree’s healthy balance, you should trim parts of its crown.
