Why do you have to prune trees? There’s no one in the forest or jungle with pruning shears, and most of those trees turn out just fine. Why should you worry about proper tree pruning?

First of all, there are many types of trees, and each requires a different level of attention. There are also different types of environmental factors that affect tree growth. Mother Nature takes care of pruning trees in the forest and jungle. Plus, when these trees die and fall, you don’t have to worry about them crashing into your home—unless you live in a tree house.

In most neighborhoods, the trees around your home are most likely planted there by the developers. These landscape trees require more care to maintain their health and structure. Pruning is the most common tree care process. It’s also the most important. Improper pruning can cause damage to your tree and property.

Reasons for Pruning

Every cut you make, every branch you take, greatly affects a tree. Make sure you’re consciously cutting branches, and not just wildly snipping. Here are some reasons you should remove a branch:

• It’s weak, diseased, or dead.
• Improves the shape of the tree.
• Poses a risk to your home, property, or power lines.
• Increases light and air penetration to the tree or the landscape below.
• Increases clearance on walkways and around other structures.

Best Time to Prune

It’s always a good time to remove damaged limbs. Any other type of pruning should happen while the tree is dormant—right before blooming in spring. Any other time may wound the tree and throw off its balance in order to try to heal itself.

Proper Tree Pruning Techniques

Prune trees while they’re young to help establish a strong, stable structure. Not only does it help the tree stay healthy, but there’s also less corrective maintenance you have to do. Maintain a single dominant branch growing upward. Let the tip of this leader outgrow the secondary branches. Then watch how the tree grows and prospers.

If you don’t get a head start on tree pruning, or have questions about how to start, contact the tree care specialists at Elite Tree Care for more information. You don’t have to worry about tree pruning. You just have to know the best way to maintain the trees around you.