Knowing when to trim trees is important, as doing it at the right time keeps your trees healthy in the long-term. Pruning at the correct time will ensure a season of healthy growth.
When should I prune my trees? We recommend that trees can be pruned anytime between late autumn and early spring. Why should I prune my tree in the autumn/winter months? In autumn and winter, trees enter a dormant phase, halting their growth. This inactivity along with the cooler weather makes it ideal for pruning. In addition, for trees that shed their leaves in autumn, the bare branches make it easier to access and cut back. How often should a tree be pruned? Usually trees need pruning every 3 - 5 years, but this depends on the type of tree it is, its size and where it is located. What happens if I prune in the spring? If you prune after new growth has started, you can limit the plant’s bloom potential for the year. Talk to your local tree surgeon about dormant pruning and why it’s important to do before spring blooms emerge. At Tree Surgeon Essex, we offer the following tree services across Havering, Brentwood, Basildon and Chelmsford: Tree pruning Tree removal or felling trees Pollarding Crown lifting or Crown raising Crown thinning Stump grinding Hedge trimming Emergency tree care Call us today on: 01708 578 017
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Our tree surgeons in Essex offer a professional tree surgery service to clients of all varieties across Basildon. Our Basildon tree cutting services are not exclusive to any one type of customer and whatever your tree needs, we are here to help.
Conifers do not need extensive pruning and most are best left to assume their natural shape, with the occasional pruning of an overly long shoot. Occasionally, however, you may need to undertake more substantial pruning if the conifer starts to get too big for its position. Plants can be clipped annually with shears to keep them small and neat. Do not prune back to leafless brown stems because these will not re sprout. Cut back whole stems to restrict the size of ground hugging conifers, making the cut under a newer, shorter shoot that will hide it. Conifers that have become too overgrown should be removed. Another problem that should be pruned out as soon as it occurs is reversion, all green growth on variegated forms. Use scatters or prunes to remove these vigorous shoots, otherwise they may dominate the more decorative foliage. Most conifers produce resinous sap that bleeds freely from the stems if they are cut while the tree is in active growth. Pruning is therefore best carried out from autumn to mid winter while the tree is dormant. Use sharp, clean pruning tools as blunt blades will snag the wood and may provide an entry point for disease. Wear gloves and goggles and, if you are using power machinery, protective clothing is recommended. Once established, conifers will largely look after themselves. Mites and aphids can be problems on pines and spruces respectively, causing the needles to drop and producing unsightly care stems. Aphids are easy to control with insecticidal sprays, but mites are more persistent, you may wish to get in a professional to treat an affected specimen. Mites are particularly active during warm, dry years when conifers are under stress. You can help prevent outbreaks by watering conifers during a drought and spraying the foliage occasionally to increase air humidity. Do this in the evening to avoid scorching the foliage on a sunny day. Most conifers prefer a position in full sun, but many will tolerate partial shade or being in deeper shade for just part of the day. They will not grow well in dense shade or waterlogged soil. If your soil is heavy, you could try draining it, improving the structure, by adding plenty of well rotted organic matter and grit before planting, or creating a special conifer raised bed. Many slow growing dwarf conifers also so well in containers. A newly planted tree or shrub needs to be watered well in order to become established. You need to mulch it with straw or garden compost to conserve the moisture in the soil. Experts performing tree pruning and trimming services make it seem easy, but there is so much more to it than just cutting here and there. While some tasks can be done on your own using your pruners and saws, most of them are best left to the pros. According to the experts, the right pruning and trimming has to do with what portions to cut, how much, and when to do it.
The terms trimming and pruning are often interchangeably used to denote cutting trees, but for clarification, just remember trimming has to do with grooming. Pruning has to do with the tree's health, as well as the safety of people and structures near the tree. Cutting Classifications People have tree pruning and trimming services for four general classifications, two of which have to do with trimming and the others related to pruning. The first, trimming or fine pruning, entails cutting to improve the tree's appearance. The second, standard pruning, involves more cutting to improve the tree's structure. The third, safety pruning or hazard pruning, is one where branches are removed because of safety considerations. When branches hang too low causing any danger, those trees are pruned. The fourth, crown reduction, involves removing the branches on the tops or sides of trees. This is usually done to prevent trees from reaching utility lines or damaging roofs, and to allow air and sunlight to reach the inner branches. Pruning the Right Way Tree pruning and trimming services, when done by trained professionals, ensure that your trees are pruned correctly and efficiently. If you intend to do the pruning on your own, refrain from using climbing spurs, which can damage tree trunks and barks. See to it that the barks on the edges of the pruning cuts are still attached firmly. As for large, heavy branches, make sure to cut them in sections to prevent the bark from tearing or splitting. Remember to use ropes to lower the large branches do not throw them to the ground. Pruning the Right Time You can have tree pruning and trimming services at any time of the year these services depend on the kinds of trees you have. Flowering trees that bloom in spring can be trimmed or pruned right after they flowering. Those that bloom in summer have to be pruned in early spring. It is recommended to prune fruit-bearing trees during late winter to give them shape and allow sunlight to shine on the tree's centre. Hardwood trees or shrubs without flowers are best pruned in the dormant season, during late fall or winter. As for dead branches, these can be cut at any time of the year. Tree Pruning and Trimming Services from the Experts Cutting tree branches is not as simple as it appears. It is a risky situation that, without the proper tools and equipment, can lead to accidents. When doing the pruning and trimming yourself, make sure to fasten yourself to a tree using at least two secure points. Work with someone who will raise the cutting tools to you. Keep yourself protected with gloves, safety glasses, and a hard hat. If everything else fails, do not fret there are always professionals who are willing and able to do tree pruning and trimming services for you. Tree trimming services are important to keep the trees in your yard looking great and healthy. If you have a tree that is damaged you should consider a tree removal service to ensure it will not damage your home during a storm or heavy wind. Let us help you with your pruning and trimming of trees. Tree-Surgeon Essex is made up of a team of professional arborists that love working with trees all year round. If you need help with trees in Essex, then give us a call today on 01708 578 017. We offer advice on: - Tree Pruning - Tree Removal or felling trees - Pollarding - Crown lifting/raising - Crown thinning - Crown reduction - Stump grinding/removal - Hedge trimming - Emergencies - Site clearance There are three main reasons for tree pruning.
Firstly - for safety. When branches are too weak to survive heavy winds, snow or ice it's important that they are pruned. Other safety issues occur when branches are too low to allow pedestrians or vehicles - or, when tree limbs block visibility to stop signs or grow too close to power lines (crown lifting). Secondly - for health reasons. It's important to prune a tree to allow air and light through and remove portions that are dead and diseased. Thirdly - for aesthetic reasons. Pruning is a method used on trees that can help improve its overall look and shape. Effective pruning should leave the tree healthier and more attractive. Here are some basic tips to successful pruning. 1. What are you trying to achieve from pruning your tree? As mentioned above, the primary goals for pruning trees are to improve safety, plant health and the tree's visual appeal. What you intend to achieve will determine how you will trim your tree. In some cases, removing a tree that is too large for the space and replacing it with a more appropriate specimen may be the best choice. 2. Understand the natural shape of your tree. Trees grow in one of two basic shapes. Conifers like pine and spruce trees grow in a pyramid shape. These trees have a single stem that grows up the full length of the tree and all branches grow out of that stem. Deciduous trees like oak trees grow in a spherical pattern. They have a single stem at the bottom that divides into major branches, which then subdivide into still smaller branches. Think about your tree shape before you start pruning. Correct pruning works with these natural grow patterns but not all limbs should be cut shorter to force a tree into these shapes. Instead, pruning is about selectively removing limbs without damaging the main stem. 3. Plan before you begin removing branches. Good choices for pruning include branches that overlap or rub other branches. Pruning should improve access to light and air for the remaining branches. It is also recommended to remove any branches that aren't firmly attached. Typically, v-branching patterns are not as healthy as u-shaped branches. Also, remove any branches that are dead or diseased. 4. Prune at the right time. In general, the best time to prune trees is during dormancy in late fall or winter. It is easier to see the growth patterns of deciduous trees after they have shed leaves. Trees are more likely to repair their wounds and prepare for new growth in the spring when pruned in dormancy. Finally, for best results consider working with an expert. In many cases, the best choice is to consult a certified Arborist or other tree expert. Pruning at the wrong time can leave your tree vulnerable to parasites and other pests. Pruning incorrectly can make it difficult for a tree to heal, whilst ineffective pruning can leave a garden with trees that aren't as safe, healthy or attractive as they should be. At Tree Surgeon Essex, we offer the following tree services across Havering, Brentwood, Basildon and Chelmsford: Tree pruning Tree removal or felling trees Pollarding Crown lifting or Crown raising Crown thinning Stump grinding Hedge trimming Emergency tree care Call us today on: 01708 578 017. |
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