Types of Tree Pruning

Tree pruning in Massachusetts is an important professional service that can beautify and reinforce trees so they can withstand insects, diseases and severe weather – and look good doing it!

Pruning must be completed if you want a healthy tree, but it needs to be done correctly by someone who has experience in what they’re doing. Like a certified arborist from MA Tree Trimming. You may be able to prune trees safely while they are still small and developing, but you also may be doing permanent harm to the tree.

To safely prune trees, you should know all of the following:

• When to prune your species of trees
• How much of the tree can be pruned at at once
• Where to cut each branch so you do not harm the tree

Removing too much from a tree could kill it or result in structural damage, but conservative trimming done every year benefits trees in many ways. Professional pruning improves the appearance of trees, makes them healthier, removes dead or diseased limbs and expedites fruit or flower production.

For the best results, pruning should be performed annually, but as trees get older, you might be able to go two years between major pruning services. Regardless of how regularly you have your trees pruned, make sure your arborist is qualified to perform the type of tree pruning your trees need. This won’t be a problem if you call MA Tree Trimming in Massachusetts!

Types of Tree Pruning Methods

There are 7 different ways to correctly trim a tree so that it grows stronger and healthier every year.

Depending on the size, species and health concerns of your trees, one pruning method could be more effective than another, but each technique has various benefits.

Crown Thinning Your Trees

Crown thinning is typical for larger, overgrown trees in Massachusetts. This process eliminates weak branches within the crown to allow more light and air flow throughout the crown. Air flow is important for disease prevention.

This tree pruning method also eliminates branches that are touching so they no longer rub against one another and break or cause weakened areas that can be an entry point for insects and pests. Branches that grow at strange angles are usually removed during crown thinning.

Crown Raising Your Trees

This tree trimming method only removes branches at the lower part of the crown so limbs start higher up on the trunk. Allowing low branches to get too big makes them very difficult to remove, and they can pull nutrients away from the top of the tree, resulting in less fruit and a weak tree.

There are a variety of reasons you may decide to raise the crown of a tree. Many times, it is done in order to clear the line of sight for automobiles and pedestrians, but it can be done to increase space for landscaping underneath the tree.

It is a common technique for large trees that are too close to homes and other buildings.

Crown Reduction

Crown reduction reduces the overall size of the crown from its exterior edge. It shortens branches vertically and horizontally to maintain the tree at a manageable size. By lowering the size of the crown, you can remove the need to cut the tree down because it will no longer come into contact with traffic lights, power lines or street lights.

Even when the tree isn’t near structures like those listed above, crown reduction can make the tree look much better because it removes irregular growth. This is a great solution for trees that are different ages but are supposed to look consistent.

Crown Cleaning

Often referred to as deadwood pruning, crown cleaning is a minimally invasive type of tree pruning technique that removes dead, broken or diseased branches so that the remaining sections of the tree can grow normally. These limbs can only create issues over time.

Crown cleaning makes the tree look much better, and it prevents limbs from rubbing together. It is also a safety practice that lowers the chance of branches falling, because healthy branches rarely fall.

Crown Restoration

Crown restoration is an intense trimming process for trees that have been significantly damaged (either by pests or weather). It should only be done by a certified arborist who knows where the tree is going to grow over time and roughly just how long it’s restoration is going to take.

Unlike most other tree trimming services, crown restoration happens throughout an extended period of time with conservative pruning that reshapes the tree. Your arborist must have a definitive plan to restore the tree, but also be flexible as the tree starts to grow and reshape on its own, adapting to the tree’s new growth pattern.

Vista Pruning

If you want trees to help improve curb appeal, you are most likely interested in vista pruning. The purpose of vista pruning is to help to make the tree more visually pleasing from a particular viewing point.

It consists of several tree trimming techniques including crown thinning, crown reduction and crown cleaning – any technique that makes the trees look prettier. Remember, though, that an arborist will never jeopardize the health of a tree, so the primary focus of vista pruning is still to maintain strong, healthy trees.

Espalier Pruning

Espaliered trees are heavily pruned to grow flat up against walls or a trellis. It is a unique style of trimming that will attract a lot of attention to your yard. Espalier pruning must be started when the tree is young and then continued very consistently throughout the tree’s life span.

of espalier pruning include allowing maximum sunlight to get to the trees, as well as making it easier to harvest fruit.

Professional Tree Pruning in Massachusetts

Tree pruning can be dangerous for a tree, your lawn, and, of course, for you! MA Tree Trimming highly recommends professional tree pruning over attempting DIY.

Besides the many possible dangers of tree trimming, you can do a lot of harm to a tree if you don’t trim it properly. Excessive pruning is one of the most typical errors made by homeowners trimming their own trees.

Trees in Massachusetts that get annual care from a professionals are much better off, and hiring an experienced arborist from MA Tree Trimming to prune trees on your property is a choice you won’t regret. Locate your town in our service area. We work with arborists across the entire state of Massachusetts!