Proper pruning is essential in developing a tree with a strong structure and desirable form. Trees that receive the appropriate pruning measures while they are young will require little corrective pruning when they mature. Here are a few simple principles to know about tree pruning:

• Each cut has the potential to change the growth of the tree. Proper technique is essential. Poor pruning can cause damage that lasts for the life of the tree.


• Trees do not heal the way people do. When a tree is wounded, it must grow over and compartmentalize the wound. As a result, the wound is contained within the tree forever.


• Small cuts do less damage to the tree than large cuts. For that reason, proper pruning (training) of young trees is critical. Waiting to prune a tree until it is mature can create the need for large cuts that the tree cannot easily close.

Making The Cut
The location of the pruning cut is critical to a tree’s response in growth and wound closure. Pruning cuts should be made just outside the branch collar. Because the branch collar contains trunk or parent branch tissues, the tree will be damaged unnecessarily if it is removed or damaged. In fact, if the cut is large, the tree may suffer permanent internal decay from an improper pruning cut.

If a permanent branch is to be shortened, it should be cut back to a lateral branch or bud. Cuts made between buds or branches may lead to stem decay, sprout production, and misdirected growth.

Source: www.treesaregood.com

The decision to call in an arborist for tree advice often gets left until faced with a problem of some kind. Perhaps your trees are in decline, have outgrown their location or have a troubling pest or disease. At this point, the only solution is often a costly removal. Check out these five great reasons to maintain the trees on your property at any stage:

1. Minimize Building Damage
Pruning trees and shrubs away from existing buildings or structures is called Clearance Pruning. Clearance Pruning improves air circulation reducing decay in wood exteriors and stops rubbing that can cause friction damage.

2. Security
Clearance pruning around light standards increases visibility and safety at night. Overgrown trees and shrubs interfere with the intended purpose of security lights.

Canopy Raising (removing lower branches) of trees, hedges and shrubs that grow close to the ground increases visibility and reduces the likelyhood of someone hiding or sleeping behind the foliage.

3. Liability
Clearance pruning around walkways is important to allow adequate clearance for residents and the public to pass by.

Removing dead, dying and diseased branches (crown cleaning) will minimize failure
that may injure people or damage property. Special attention should be paid to trees near parking lots, patios and playgrounds.

4. Tree Health & Integrity
Young tree training smaller trees will encourage a strong framework and remove defects early. This keeps trees strong and healthy as they mature and minimizes the need for future pruning.

5. Containment & Aesthetics
Reducing the perimeter of the canopy by a pre-determined amount (depending on the tree or shrub) will minimize growth while maintaining the form and beauty. Called perimeter reduction, this prolongs the life of plant material to serve its function before outgrowing the location. Trees or shrubs near buildings or other structures should also be clearance pruned during the process.

With all of these pruning objectives, the sooner you begin, the better the outcome.

Does this sound familiar? You like the idea of hiring a tree specialist but you already have landscapers and you just can’t imagine another expense item in the budget? Understanding the ways landscapers and arborists work can help.

Landscapers often work with contracts that don’t usually include regular tree maintenance. As a result, they may be reluctant to prune trees as it cuts into the budget for lawn and garden maintenance. Liability insurance and WCB constraints also limit the
scope of tree work a landscaper can perform.

Arborists do not work with annual contracts the same way a landscape company does. As a rule, tree and shrub maintenance is not an annual expense. Depending on the type of pruning required, pruning can be done every 2-4 years.

Whether you have an idea what you want done or need some advice, an arborist can consult you on the practicalities of your objective. Quotes can be broken down into priorities so you can budget year to year.

By working with priorities and rotating through the necessary work, you can spread the
costs out over several years. The arborist can return each year to perform only the work that fits that year’s budget and those unexpected tree expenses will be a thing of the past.

Do you understand the difference between a landscaper and an arborist? The green industry can be confusing. There is a lot of overlap between landcape companies and tree companies. Landscapers offer lawn and garden care. They can give basic tree advice.

An arborist is an individual who is trained in the art and science of planting, caring for, and maintaining trees and shrubs. Arborists understand how trees integrate into the landscape and around buildings. Arborists are trained in pests and disease that affect your trees. Arborists can care for your trees regardless of their size, climbing to the tops of even very large trees to prune and maintain them.

The certifications you should look for are those of the International Society of Arboriculture. Founded in 1924, the ISA promotes the professional practice of arboriculture and fosters a greater public awareness of the benefits of trees. Certified arborists are issued a certification number which can be verified at the ISA website. You should also watch for these logos when hiring:

Some basic things to watch for include:

Young Tree Training - Have your trees properly pruned when they are young. This will result in less need for corrective pruning as they mature.

Spurless Climbing - Except for removals, trees should never be climbed with spurs. Spurs damage the tree by creating wounds, entrance points for pests and disease.

No Topping - Topping is a temporary and ineffective solution that actually makes a tree more hazardous in the long run.

Form - Pruning should not alter the natural form of the tree. A professional should know how to obtain objectives without compromising the aesthetics of the tree.

25% Rule - Minimize excessive regrowth and stress to the tree by only removing up to 25% of the canopy.

Poor pruning can cause damage that lasts for the life of the tree. Take the time to find a tree company that respects your trees.