When one of the trees on your property does not look healthy, you may wonder what to do. Professionals offering tree services in Arlington, VA, can explain the benefits of selective tree pruning. What is selective pruning? It involves removing damaged branches to encourage stronger growth in other areas while also shaping the canopy.
Understanding Selective Pruning Techniques
Before performing selective pruning, professionals will study the plant to determine which branches to cut. They’ll determine which branches are in good condition and vital to the plant’s overall health. They’ll look for any secondary branches that have damage or disease that can be safely removed.
Pruning branches in this manner enhances the health and strength of the plant. By carefully considering which branches and limbs to remove, the arborists ensure they won’t remove too much of the canopy and place the entire plant under stress.
Selective pruning also works to manage the canopy spread of a taller tree, ensuring it remains clear of homes, utility lines, and other canopies. Pruning can help shape a young sapling, encouraging growth in the desired direction.
Why Selective Pruning Helps
Why should you prune your trees? When they have damaged branches in the canopy, the branches could break loose during the next storm. As they fall, they might break or crack other branches on the way to the ground.
Broken or damaged branches in the canopy also create an opening for insects or disease to enter the vulnerable inner layers of wood. Removing these damaged limbs and branches reduces the risk of additional damage from insect infestation or disease exposure.
Shaping Using Selective Pruning Techniques
When discussing shaping your canopy, arborists might use terms such as trimming, structural tree thinning, and selective pruning. In terms of shaping, selective pruning involves removing branches and limbs growing in undesirable directions. These techniques can give the canopy a natural shape, reducing the risk of extra stress on individual limbs or V-shaped crotches.
Perform Pruning at the Right Time of the Year
When you hire professionals to help with pruning, they’ll do the work at the best time of the year for each species. Flowering species may need pruning just after the flowers fade and drop away. Others may need pruning in spring or fall to limit stress from high or low temperatures.
Don’t Stress Your Tree With Poor Pruning Techniques: Rely on The Heart of Wood’s Arborists
So, what is selective pruning, and do you need to understand this technique? Homeowners who attempt selective pruning in Arlington, VA, on their own often end up doing more harm than good. Hiring an arborist is always the better option, as they have the experience and know-how to improve tree health through appropriate methods.
Whether you need directional pruning for tree growth that’s healthier or you want to shape your canopies to improve your landscaping’s curb appeal, The Heart of Wood can help. For a free cost quote, contact us today at (571) 482-0996.