Pruning Benefits For Trees and Shrubs

Pruning is the process of selectively removing branches or limbs from a tree or shrub in a well-thought-out fashion, while keeping the plant’s natural shape in mind. Pruning not only increases the visual appeal of trees and shrubs but also improves their health, reducing pest problems and allowing them to flourish. The time of year, how the branches are cut and the type of pruning being done all play a part in the success of the technique used.

A common practice that is completed by our team is removing diseased, dead or broken branches as well as thinning the crown to allow more air circulation and sunlight into the plants canopy. This improves the overall health of the plant, reduces diseases and insect infestations as well as encourages new growth and fruit production on fruit trees. Another benefit of pruning is ensuring that any weak or rotted limbs are removed from the plant as they can fall and cause damage to property and people.

When a tree or shrub is pruned, the wounds created by the cuts are closed naturally by the woody plant, limiting the entry of pathogens. This also helps the plant heal more quickly. Additionally, pruning can help manage the size of a tree or shrub, as well as aid in the training and shaping of young plants to grow in a certain way for their intended use, such as shade or privacy screens.

Trees and shrubs that produce flowers such as azaleas, rhododendrons, dogwoods, forsythia, lilacs and magnolia should only be pruned after they have bloomed since they flower on buds that develop on wood produced that same year. For evergreen trees such as spruce, fir and pine, pruning is often done to control the tree’s height and shape.

Formative pruning is usually completed on younger plants to train them for their intended uses or to achieve a desired shape. These types of cuts may include heading (removing whole branches) or hedging (removing the lower branches from shrubs). For mature trees, the most common pruning techniques are thinning and crown cleaning. Thinning involves reducing the density of the tree or shrub by removing specific live branches, which increases light penetration and air circulation while reducing stress from wind, snow, ice or gravity. Crown cleaning involves removing diseased, dead or damaged limbs as well as crossing or rubbing branches.

Weak limbs can not only affect the look of a tree but are also hazardous and can damage structures or power lines during storms and severe weather. By removing these limbs, our experts can ensure that the structure of the tree is intact and healthy while creating a safer environment for you, your family and pets. We can even remove any limbs that are encroaching on utility lines. Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation.

source https://litchfieldtreeservices1.wordpress.com/2024/10/10/pruning-benefits-for-trees-and-shrubs/