Tree care professionals of British Columbia share amateur tree trimming mistakes.
Don’t Do These Things To Your Trees!
Trees are hardy and live much longer than most animals, but a few misplaced strokes can kill a tree almost as quickly as cutting it down. Tree trimming may seem like a simple task for a weekend home improvement project, but it can be much more complicated than it seems. Tree service companies do much more than just tree removal or tree pruning, they are trained in tree health care. They know that there is a right and a wrong way to cut.
Greed: Not Trimming Enough
They want all the branches to stay and they want them now! Sometimes homeowners trim too little to make any difference in the way the tree grows. Unfortunately, trimming just on one side or just a bit of growth can also cause the tree to grow in ways that are not pleasing to the eyes.
Insufficient trimming can be of no benefit to the tree or the homeowner. It is hard to see the point of the trimming if the limbs are still hanging over the roof or the fruit or flower is not growing more plentiful.
Gluttony: Trimming Too Much
In the opposite direction, too much cutting can cause serious issues for a tree. Losing leaves means fewer are available to produce food for the whole plant. The negative results of excessive trimming are as follows:
- Stunted growth
- Lack of nourishment
- Tree death
Sloth: Using Dull and Dirty Tools, and Not cleaning up
Keeping cutting tools not only sharpened but clean can be extra work, but it is worth it to extend the life of your tree and your tools. Dull tools are difficult to use and may make the job of trimming nearly impossible. If tools have been used to trim another tree, one that has a disease or parasite, this parasite or illness can be transferred to the current tree.
Another part of clean-up that goes hand in hand with cleaning tools is cleaning up the debris that has been trimmed. Fallen limbs and leaves make a great hiding place for pests and parasites and dead and rotting wood actually attracts certain kinds of insects and fungal spores. These may not be satisfied with the dead wood and may begin to attack the healthy parts of the tree.
Wrath: Cutting Too Close to the Trunk
First, let’s have a brief tree anatomy lesson. The widest part of the branch, where it meets the trunk, is called the branch collar. Any good arborist knows that cutting through the branch collar can be disastrous. It’s like clipping a major lifeline of the tree. It affects all the following areas:
- Nutrition: Nutrients cannot move as well from roots to leaves and back as easily when such a large area is exposed.
- Hydration: A great deal of sap can be lost from a wound to a branch collar.
- Overall Health: lack of nutrients and water will affect the way the tree grows and the strength of the tree.
Pride: Not Consulting an Arborist
It may seem the cheaper solution to cut your own trees, but if you want to guarantee the health of your trees, consult with a professional. This is especially vital when trying to decide on tree removal.
A certified arborist may perform a tree risk assessment and find that the tree just needs some help to recover fully, or that special tools and safety precautions are needed for removal. A consultation is the best way to protect your property and every person concerned with the project.
About My Tree Service
My Tree Service offers a wide variety of residential and commercial tree services including after-hours emergency service. We have not only the equipment, but the experience and training to reliably take care of your trees. Call us today for tree trimming and removal service in the Your Area, BC area.