3 Techniques for Tree Trimming Around Kalamazoo

As Arborists around the Kalamazoo area, we’re often asked about best practices for tree trimming and other tree services. If you’re a property owner who has trees or takes care of trees, then you, like many, may have considered performing your own tree trimming. Though it can be a fair amount of work, tree trimming is a meaningful way to cultivate your trees can even serve as an act of meditation for some. In the spirit of the many benefits of tree trimming, we want to take this month’s blog post to discuss three techniques for ideal tree trimming.

1. Adhere to the 1/3 Rule

One of the rules of thumb we recommend that folks new to tree trimming follow is the well-known 1/3 rule. In essence, this rule is that you are generally safe to remove up to 1/3 of a plant without permanently damaging or causing harm to it. Essentially, this rule exists to make sure that any branch or limb that you trim from a tree still possesses enough potential to recover and grow back strong.

There are, however, some limitations to the 1/3 rule of thumb. All trees are different, and some of them don’t respond to this rule very well. For that reason, it’s always a good idea to contact an arborist to discuss the health of your trees before making any big pruning decisions.

2. Perform Tree Pruning Between Late Fall and Early Spring

With the fall here in full swing, now is the perfect time to begin pruning your trees. Throughout the time period between this stage in the fall and the early spring, most trees go through a sort of hibernation, where they stop growing and conserve their energy. We recommend performing your tree trimming during this time because the trees will have shed their leaves (which can obscure your vision) and the lowering temperatures make it easier to attain clean cuts and prevent disease.

3. Always Remove Weaker Limbs First

Though it may seem like common sense, it’s important to state that the weaker limbs of a tree should almost always be removed first. Though it is possible that these limbs could regain their strength, it’s almost never an advantage to keep the weaker ones instead of the stronger ones.

Are you interested in getting professional tree service done by arborists in the Kalamazoo area? If so, don’t hesitate to contact us at American Arbor today.