We have discussed why you should prune your trees, now let’s look at what some experts say about How To Prune Your Trees.

We all know that it takes some understanding to raise healthy vegetation. There are differences in light, water and grooming to insure your plants, trees and grass grows healthy. How to prune your trees plays a vital role in success. There are some different techniques to consider.

Crown Thinning:

Crown thinning is a pruning technique primarily used on hardwood trees. Crown thinning is the careful removal of stems and branches to increase light penetration and air movement throughout the crown (the top) of a tree. The intent is to improve a tree’s structure and form while making life uncomfortable for tree pests.

Crown Raising:

Crown raising is simply removing branches from the bottom of the crown of a tree to provide clearance for pedestrians, vehicles, buildings or lines of site. For street trees the minimum clearance is often specified by municipal ordinance.

Crown Reduction

Crown reduction pruning is most often used when a tree has grown too large for its permitted space. This type of pruning is sometimes called drop crotch pruning, is preferred to topping because it results in a more natural appearance, increases the time before pruning is needed again and minimizes stress.

Two methods you should NOT use are Topping and Tipping.

This tree was pruned improperly and is growing epicormic branches at its base.

These methods cause harm to a tree. Topping, the pruning of large upright branches between twig nodes, is sometimes done to reduce the height of a tree. Tipping is a practice of cutting lateral branches between nodes to reduce crown width. These practices invariably result in the development of epicormic sprouts or in the death of the cut branch back to the next lateral branch below. Epicormic sprouts are weakly attached to the stem and eventually will be supported by a decaying branch.

When you decide which method to use to prune your trees, remember you’ll need somewhere to put the branches. Consult your local disposal company to get a container to suit your needs.

R&R Containers: Services Acworth, Georgia and surrounding areas.