The most common tree maintenance procedure we carry out is tree pruning. It is a vital part of maintaining a tree’s health and reducing the chances of damage to both the tree itself and your property. When pruning a tree it is imperative that you hire an expert that understands how to carry out the process both safely and so it doesn’t impact the trees health negatively. Improper pruning can damage the tree which can lead to a shorter life.
There can be many reasons to prune a tree but we will take a look at the most common ones. The first reason may be to promote growth in the tree by reducing its canopy. By doing this you allow light and air to reach the lower parts of the tree which in turn boosts growth. This can also help the ground around the tree as sometimes a thick canopy can prevent grass surrounding it from growing properly.
Another reason to prune your tree is when dealing with dead or damaged branches that have been caused by winds or lightning during a storm. If left alone a damaged limb could fall at any second which presents a serious threat to the safety of your home and its occupants. A damaged limb can also spread rot to the trunk and cause further and sometimes irreparable damage to the whole tree. O’Brien’s Tree Care can assess your tree limbs and provide advice on what course of action to take.
The last reason we will take a look at relates to what we have discussed above. Pruning can be used to prevent damage to your tree by reducing the “sail weight” of the tree. This means how much winds will affect its branches. By taking pre-emptive action we can avoid damage during storm season and lessen the impact of the violent winds that come with it.
Obviously when dealing with damaged or broken limbs we have no choice in the matter and the work needs to be carried out as soon as possible. If we are looking to prevent further damage from winds and storms then the process should be carried out before the Summer storms that occur at the start of the year. If the reason for pruning is to promote growth then before Spring is the right time for the work to be carried out. If you are unsure as to when to prune your trees then get in contact with us so a qualified arborist can assess your situation and provide you with the best results possible.
There are a variety of techniques that we can use to carry out the different types of pruning that your tree might require and ensure that the tree is kept in a healthy condition while also not being a hazard. The first is the process of “Cleaning” which involves removing branches that are sick or dying or perhaps are too weak.
Another process is called “Thinning” and this is done to increase light and air penetration. Thinning can help promote growth as well as keep the tree healthy. This is due to the reduction of weight on lower limbs and reduces the impact of winds during storms.
The last technique we will look at is “raising” and “reduction”. Oftentimes a tree can grow to the point it becomes a nuisance. Raising a tree involves removing lower branches from the tree so you can provide clearance for yourself and vehicles. Reduction is the process of reducing the overall size of the tree to prevent it becoming an issue with power lines or perhaps your neighbor’s yard.
If you are unsure as to whether a tree needs to be pruned or not then it is always better to play it safe and give us a call so a qualified professional with years of experience can provide you with the right advice you need to make an informed decision. Give O’Brien’s Tree Care a call today on 0431 740 088 or contact us online and we will get in touch with you as soon as possible.