Have you scheduled pruning for your trees? How could you ensure the best results from this tree service? It helps to understand what bad tree pruning looks like, including some of the devastating effects it can have on your yard overall.
As a top-rated Jacksonville tree service, Eagerton Tree Service always uses proper pruning techniques to leave your trees healthy. Here’s more about how to avoid common pruning mistakes and maintain a great return on your investment.
What Is Tree Pruning?
The art of tree pruning involves removing certain branches that hinder the tree’s growth potential. It isn’t just cutting a few limbs for aesthetics, which is largely what tree trimming entails.
Pruning focuses on a different goal – boosting the tree’s health. The importance of trees extends from improved curb appeal to combating climate change, so pruning remains an essential component of proper tree care.
Experts recommend that you schedule this service for your trees every three years or so. However, avoid any tree company that uses the following bad pruning practices:
- Fall and spring pruning: Most pruning happens in mid to late winter. Summer may have advantages for some tree species, but professionals never prune in fall or early spring.
- Unnecessary tree topping: Inexperienced tree trimmers may advise using stub cuts on the tree or flattening its canopy, but this rarely improves tree health.
- Superfluous tree tipping: This term refers to the pruning of horizontal branches. Like tree topping, this pruning approach isn’t usually helpful.
The Consequences of Poor Pruning
With bad tree pruning, you can expect these negative consequences for your tree:
Poor Tree Structure
Harming the tree’s structure happens with over-pruning or removing more than the tree can recover from. The rule of thumb is to remove 10% to 50% of a tree’s total volume, depending on its age. An inexperienced tree service might over-prune to help more sunlight reach the interior branches but, in doing so, hinder its growth or make it vulnerable to severe weather.
Serious Tree Wounds
A poorly trained pruner can cause serious damage to your tree if they use the wrong tools or don’t practice caution. While a certified arborist can help the tree heal, avoiding injury always produces better results for the tree. A pruning cut on the wrong branches or cutting the branches in the wrong place can damage a tree to the point where it dies or needs removal.
Pest Infestation
Lastly, cutting a tree in the wrong place or too much for it to heal will leave it vulnerable to insect infestations. These issues can wreak havoc on your tree. Infestations can also spread to the rest of your yard’s plant life.
Rely on Eagerton Tree Service for Quality Pruning
Avoid bad tree pruning and all its negative results by seeking out a top provider of pruning, tree health, and tree removal in Jacksonville, FL. Arborists know how to care for trees and keep them healthy, including with proper pruning and fertilization techniques.
Why not request a free estimate from Eagerton Tree Service in Florida? Call (904) 304-3938 (commercial) or (904) 823-3090 (residential) today!
