If you search online for tree trimming advice – especially tree trimming and maintenance – you’ll likely come across a heap of articles telling you to always trim your trees in mid-to-late winter. This advice is generally correct; however, you might still be doing more harm than good if you don’t do it right or if you are trimming trees that don’t need trimming in the first place.
To help you out, we’ve compiled an easy-to-follow crash course outlining the easiest ways to keep your trees healthy and vibrant and avoid tree trimming mistakes. If you want more information on how to keep your trees healthy and looking wonderful to increase the value of your property, give the team at Tree Service Kamloops a call today.
How To time, Fertilise, and Maintain Your Trees
Tree trimming, maintenance, and fertilization don’t have to be a big job, but this depends on the number of trees you have and what age and condition they’re in.
Age of Trees
Many people don’t realize that older trees require less maintenance than young ones. Young trees require tender, loving care to ensure they live a long time and should be trimmed annually for the first couple of years to control growth and enhance shape.
A Great Tool
There’s no doubt that you get what you pay for and that saying really rings true when it comes to trimming tools. If you use a cheap tool to trim with, you’ll crush the branch instead of creating a clean cut. Crushing branches causes more surface damage, which increases the chances of bacteria, fungus, and other nasties getting into the tree’s system, whereas a clean cut heals very quickly.
Large branches should ideally be removed by a professional due to the inherent dangers of climbing trees with sharp tools, but if you’re going to tackle it yourself, your best bet is to use a bow saw or trimming saw. For smaller branches measuring less than 5cm, lopping shears would work well. Small trimming shears should be used on branches up to 2cm thick. Regardless of the tool you use, it’s very important to keep them sharp, and just like a doctor, disinfect your tools between uses (with a little bleach) to ensure you’re not transferring fungus and bacteria from tree to tree and limb to limb.
Trimming Basics
Other than light trimming, heavy trimming should only be done to remove dead, diseased or broken branches. You can do it for aesthetic purposes, but you’re better off calling in a professional if this is the reason why you want to trim, as lopping off a healthy branch could damage or even kill your tree!
If you notice a broken branch on your trees, trim it as soon as possible (regardless of the time of year) to reduce the cut surface area and the chance of infection by giving it a clean stub. The only exception to this is if the tree isn’t well. It is vitally important to never trim a tree yourself if it is stressed or sick, especially if it’s drought-affected. Ensure any tree you plan to trim is healthy-looking and well-watered beforehand. If not, call in a professional.
Light trimming can also be done at any time of year, but heavy trimming should only ever be performed you’re your tree is dormant, during late autumn or winter. This also ensures the branches will be easier to see due to having less foliage.
How much should be trimmed?
This depends on the health of the tree and any issues and should ideally be determined by a professional arborist. As a general guideline though, no more than 25% of a tree’s live wood should be removed annually if the tree is young, or 20% if the tree is mature.
More trimming Tips
- Never lop off a branch too close to or too far from the trunk. Instead, look for the branch ‘collar’, (which is like swelling of bark on the underside of the branch) and cut on the outside of this. If you’re unsure, don’t just chance it – consult a professional!
- Flowering trees can be trimmed just after their flowers have died off. This ensures next season’s buds aren’t accidentally cut off.
- If there are branches growing upward or downward out of a lateral branch that’s in good condition, lop them off, as they can weaken an otherwise healthy branch.
- Trees sometimes grow a stem alongside the main one that’s co-dominant. If this competing stem isn’t removed, it can cause the tree to develop a multi-forked trunk, which weakens it.
- If you have branches crossing over each other that rub together and end up with damaged bark when it’s windy, trim one so it stops further damage.
Fertilizing
Depending on whether you’re fertilizing for general tree health or to correct a health problem, you should consult a professional arborist before heavy fertilizing, as you can end up poisoning your trees if you’re giving them too much or the wrong type of fertilizer. As a general guideline, trees under five years old can be fertilized approximately once every four months (early spring prior to budding, early summer after blooming, and autumn). Older trees only need fertilizing about once a year, if at all.
Fertilizer should be applied no closer than 30cm to the trunk and should reach just beyond the outermost tips of the branches. Once you’ve applied the fertilizer, you should water the tree immediately and always follow directions carefully in regards to the amount you use.
Conclusion
Tree trimming and tree trimming are great for improving the aesthetics and value of your property, as well as prolonging the life of your trees, but only if it’s done correctly and with great care. Even damaged or diseased limbs could be saved if you bring in a qualified and experienced arborist to deal with any problems as they arise. Thankfully, Tree Service Kamloops can handle all your tree-related problems for a fantastic price. Whether you just want some friendly advice, need tree trimming or lopping, or even whole tree removal, give us a call and we’ll cater to your needs.
Book a free, no-obligation quote with us by filling out our contact form or call.