Why Tree Pruning is Important

Pruning is the process of deliberately removing unwanted limbs from a tree. This includes any diseased, dead, damaged, or unnecessary branches.

Always prune with a purpose in mind. Pruning really can make or break a tree. Every branch that is cut will impact the way the tree grows and develops in the future.

I was on a walk the other day and saw a tree that was so overgrown, you could not even see the front door of the house. It was wild.

Today I’m going to inform you about all the reasons why tree pruning is important and why you should periodically take time to prune your trees or hire a professional to handle all your pruning and tree trimming for you.

Reasons for Pruning

• Encourages new growth

• Fosters fruit production

• Safety hazards

• Prevent and treat disease

• Improves aesthetics

Encourages New Growth

Any branches that are dead or diseased need to be removed. When that happens new, stronger branches will grow in their place.

When you remove branches, it allows more sunlight to reach the tree, which will encourage new growth to begin. Lack of sunlight is one reason that branches can become dead or diseased.

A tree with very heavy limbs will over time cause damage to the tree’s root system. A tree with an impaired root system will not be able to withstand heavy storms.

Fosters Fruit Production

If you have fruit trees on your property, it is typically because you want the fruit that the tree can provide. When you have a tree with strong, healthy branches, the branches are able to hold the fruit that they bear. Pruning will give you those vigorous branches.

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Many fruit trees are prone to various types of funguses. By pruning, air flow is improved, which lessens the chances of funguses to develop.

Proper pruning will ensure that your tree does not become overgrown. If you can’t reach the fruit, it’s not serving its purpose. Similarly, if the tree is not maintained, the branches will not be able to support the amount of fruit that grows.

Reduces Safety Hazards

You definitely want to prune your trees before they reach any power lines. Trees that touch power lines can cause power outages as well as fires.

If any person was standing close to the tree when a spark flies, the electricity can transfer from the tree to the person. This would result in serious injury or possibly death.

Branches that touch your house can also be dangerous. They can cause damage to the exterior of the house or possibly break through windows during a storm.

Trees that are too close to your house could fall on your house, even more so if the tree’s root system is weakened from lack of proper pruning.

Trees that extend over into the sidewalk are perilous for anyone walking by. If you’re not paying attention, you could end up with a branch in the eye.

Prevent and Treat Disease

Insects, fungi, and other pathogens will try to infect trees by attacking weak or damaged branches. When you prune off those branches on a regular basis, you are stopping the problem before it happens.

If you see a diseased branch and remove it immediately, you can prevent the infestation from spreading throughout the whole tree.

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Improper pruning will also result in impaired branches, which will make your tree more susceptible to pests or diseases. If you’re not sure how to prune, don’t take the chance of hurting your tree. Hire a professional.

Improves Aesthetics

Everyone knows that having trees increases the value of a home. In order to do that though, the trees need to look good in the space allotted for them. Evergreen’s landscaping experts can help you choose the right tree for the spot you have in mind.

When you prune, you can train your trees to grow in the space provided and make sure that they maintain the desired shape. The same is true for bushes and shrubs. If you allow them to become overgrown, you will have to remove large shrubs at some point.

It is important to note that tree pruning should be as minimal as possible. Make sure that you choose a tree that will not outgrow the space you planted it in. Excessive pruning will damage the tree and shorten its lifespan.

Final Thoughts

Trimming and pruning are necessary for optimal tree growth. Our specialists at Evergreen Lawn & Landscape have received training on how to care for trees.

Call us today to set up an appointment. When you trim your limbs, your trees will be strong and live long.