Tree pruning in Idaho is an important landscaping service that can beautify and reinforce your trees so they will withstand insects, diseases and inclement weather – and look breathtaking while doing it!
Pruning should be done if you want a healthy tree, but it must be done very carefully by someone who knows what they’re doing. Like a certified arborist from ID Tree Trimming. Homeowners may be able to prune trees safely while they are still small, but you also may be doing irreparable harm to the tree in the process.
To correctly prune trees, you must know all of the following:
- When is the best time to prune your species of trees
- How much of the tree should be pruned at at once
- Where to cut the branches so you do not harm the tree
Taking too much off of a tree could kill it or lead to structural damage, but conservative pruning done each year benefits trees in several ways. Pruning helps to improve the appearance of trees, makes them healthier, eliminates dying or diseased branches and assists in fruit or flower production.
Ideally, pruning should be performed annually, but as trees get older, you may be able to go two years between major pruning services. Regardless of how regularly you have your trees trimmed, be sure your arborist is qualified to do the type of tree pruning your trees need. This won’t be a problem if you call ID Tree Trimming in Idaho!
Types of Tree Pruning Methods
There are 7 different ways to properly trim a tree so that it grows stronger and healthier every year.
Depending on the shape, species and health status of your trees, one method could be more effective than another, but each technique has distinct benefits.
Crown Thinning Your Trees
Crown thinning is popular for larger, overgrown trees in Idaho. This technique eliminates weak branches within the crown of the tree to allow more light and air flow within the crown. Air flow is especially important to help prevent disease.
This tree pruning technique also removes branches that are touching so they no longer rub up against one another and snap or create weaker areas that can be an access point for insects and pests. Limbs that grow at odd angles are usually cut off during crown thinning.
Crown Raising Your Trees
This tree trimming method removes branches at the lowest part of the crown so new limbs start higher up on the trunk of the tree. Allowing low branches to get too large makes them very difficult to remove, and they can draw nutrients from the top of the tree, which leads to less fruit and a weaker tree.
There are several reasons you might decide to raise the crown of a tree. Many times, it is done in order to clear the line of sight for automobiles and pedestrians, but it can also be done to free up space for landscaping beneath the tree.
It is a very common technique for large trees that are too close to homes and buildings.
Crown Reduction
Crown reduction lowers the total size of the tree’s crown from its exterior edge. It shortens branches horizontally and vertically to keep the tree at a manageable size. By reducing the crown size, you can remove the need to cut the tree down because it won’t come into contact with traffic lights, power lines or street lights.
Even when the tree isn’t near structures like these, crown reduction can make the tree look neater because it also eliminates irregular growth. This is a smart idea for trees that are different ages but are supposed to look uniform.
Crown Cleaning
Sometimes known as deadwood pruning, crown cleaning is a minimally invasive tree trimming method that eliminates dying, broken or diseased branches so that the remaining parts of the tree can continue to grow normally. These branches can only create issues in the future.
Crown cleaning makes the tree look a lot better, and it stops branches from rubbing together. Plus it is a safety practice that reduces the chance of branches falling, since healthy branches do not fall very often.
Crown Restoration
Crown restoration is an advanced pruning process for trees that have been severely damaged (either by weather or vandals). It needs to only be done by a certified arborist who knows how the tree is likely to grow over time and roughly just how long it’s restoration is going to take.
Unlike other tree pruning services, crown restoration occurs over an extended period of time with conservative trimming that reshapes the tree. The arborist should have a plan to restore the tree, but also be flexible as the tree grows and reshapes on its own, adapting to the tree’s new growth pattern.
Vista Pruning
If you want trees that help improve curb appeal, you are probably interested in vista pruning. The intent of vista pruning is to make the tree more aesthetically pleasing from a particular viewing point.
It encompasses several pruning techniques including crown thinning, crown reduction and crown cleaning – any technique that makes the trees look more attractive. Remember, though, that an arborist will never jeopardize the health of a tree, so the focus of vista pruning is still to maintain strong, healthy trees.
Espalier Pruning
Espaliered trees are heavily pruned to grow flat up against walls or a trellis. It is a different style of tree trimming that is sure to attract a lot of attention to your landscape. Espalier pruning has to be started when the tree is young and then continued very consistently during the tree’s life span.
Benefits of espalier pruning include allowing maximum sunlight to get to the trees, as well as making it much easier to harvest fruit.
Professional Tree Pruning in Idaho
Tree pruning can be harmful to a tree, your lawn, and, of course, for you! ID Tree Trimming highly suggests professional tree pruning over attempting DIY.
Besides the many dangers of tree trimming, you can do a lot of harm to a tree if you don’t know how to trim it properly. Over-pruning is one of the most typical errors made by homeowners caring for their own trees.
Trees in Idaho that get routine care from a professionals are usually much better off, and hiring a certified arborist from ID Tree Trimming to care for the trees on your property is a decision you won’t regret. Locate your city in our service area. We work with arborists throughout the entire state of Idaho!
