Have you ever noticed how some trees are so full and enmeshed that the branches nearly form a canopy? Cleaning up these overgrown branches can be quite a challenge. Smaller branches need trimming off with hand clippers, and larger ones require a ladder or tree trimmer.
Our tree removal experts at Raleigh Tree Services, your trusted tree service in Wake Forest, have developed best practices for how to prune young trees to give them a strong structure.
The Benefits of Pruning Young Trees
Pruning young trees is an essential part of maintaining your landscaping, and it can help you avoid many problems in the future. Here are just some of the benefits:
- Helps keep trees healthy and growing strong
- Reduces the risk of disease, which means your tree will be less likely to get sic
- Makes it easier for water and nutrients to reach the roots, so they can grow larger and stronger
- Can help prevent damage from pests like insects and fungi.
- Promotes a robust root system
- Improves air circulation, which reduces the risk of fire
- Reduces risk of damage from high winds
- Helps young trees grow straight and tall
Best Practices When Pruning Young Trees
Pruning young trees is an essential part of tree care. Done correctly, pruning promotes good health and helps the tree grow at the desired rate. When thinking about how to prune young trees, it’s essential to follow these best practices:
- Prune only during the growing season—early spring to late fall—and ensure that you work in temperatures above 55 degrees F.
- Use sharp tools such as pruners or loppers. Dull tools can damage the bark and cause infection in a young or mature tree.
- Use clean, sharp tools free from rust and moisture (and don’t use them on wet wood).
- Make cuts as close to a bud as possible—this will promote growth in that area instead of allowing new growth from other areas of the trunk’s branch collar or lateral branch.
- Avoid making deep cuts; instead, make several shallow ones so you don’t damage the cambium layer (which transports nutrients throughout the plant).
How to Prune Young Trees: Procedure
You should follow a precise procedure when planning how to prune young trees. This includes:
- Select the right tool for the job. A small hand saw or pruning shears are better than a knife for this type of work. You should also consider using a pole saw, which can be an excellent choice for reaching high branches.
- Remove dead or damaged branches as soon as possible.
- Cut permanent branches back to the point where they meet another branch or trunk section (known as a “bud union”). This will encourage new growth and help prevent disease from spreading.
- Remove branches growing in an unnatural direction or narrow angles, such as those growing at an angle away from the tree instead of toward it. This will help strengthen your young tree’s structure so it can grow upright without any problems later on down the road!
Contact Your Trusted Experts for Tree Trimming Services in Wake Forest, NC
Do you need tree pruning services in Wake Forest, NC? Our Raleigh Tree Service experts provide tree trimming services in Wake Forest and throughout the area.
Our professionals provide an array of services for tree care, such as tree trimming and tree pruning. We take great pride in being a locally owned small business that offers professional, honest, and reliable services.
Contact us at 919-889-5783 to learn more about how to prune young trees and learn bad tree pruning practices to avoid using on your trees.
