Tree pruning in Kentucky is a professional service that can beautify and reinforce trees so they are able to withstand pests, diseases and severe weather – and look breathtaking while doing it!
Pruning needs to be done if you want healthy trees, but it must be done properly by someone who has experience in what they’re doing. Like a certified arborist from KY Tree Trimming. You may be able to prune and trim trees safely while they are small, but you also may do permanent harm to the tree.
To correctly prune trees, you should know all of the following:
- When is the best time to prune your species of trees
- How much of the tree should be trimmed at a time
- Where to cut the branches so you do not damage the tree
Pruning too much off of a tree might kill it or lead to structural damage, but precise trimming done each year benefits trees in many ways. Pruning helps to improve the appearance of trees, makes them stronger, eliminates dead or diseased branches and assists in fruit or flower production.
Ideally, pruning should be performed annually, but as trees mature, you may be able to go two years between pruning services. Regardless of how often you have your trees pruned, ensure your arborist is qualified to perform the type of tree pruning your trees need. This won’t be an issue if you call KY Tree Trimming in Kentucky!
Types of Tree Pruning Methods
There are 7 different ways to properly trim a tree so that it grows healthier and stronger each year.
Depending on the size, type and health status of your trees, one method could be more effective than another, but each technique has different benefits to consider.
Crown Thinning Your Trees
Crown thinning is typical for older, overgrown trees in Kentucky. This technique eliminates weak branches within the crown of the tree to improve light and air flow within the crown. Air flow is important to help prevent disease.
This tree pruning technique also eliminates branches that are touching so they do not rub against each other and snap or create weakened areas that can be an entry point for insects and pests. Limbs that grow at strange angles are usually cut off during crown thinning.
Crown Raising Your Trees
This tree pruning method only removes branches at the lower part of the crown so limbs start higher up on the trunk. Allowing low branches to get too large makes them difficult to remove, and they can pull nutrients from the top of the tree, which leads to less fruit and a weak tree.
There are several reasons you may want to raise the crown of a tree. Many times, it is done to clear the line of sight for cars and pedestrians, but it can also be done to create space for landscaping beneath the tree.
It is a common technique for overgrown trees that are close to homes and buildings.
Crown Reduction
Crown reduction lowers the total size of the tree’s crown from its outer edges. It shortens branches horizontally and vertically to keep the tree at a certain size. By reducing the crown size, you can eliminate the need to chop the tree down because it won’t interfere with traffic lights, power lines or street lights.
Even if the tree isn’t near structures like these, crown reduction will make the tree look much better because it removes irregular growth. This is a good idea for trees that are different ages but are supposed to look consistent.
Crown Cleaning
Sometimes known as deadwood pruning, crown cleaning is a minimally invasive type of tree pruning method that eliminates dead, snapped or diseased limbs so that the remaining sections of the tree may continue to grow normally. These limbs can only cause problems over time.
Crown cleaning helps to make the tree look a lot better, and it stops limbs from rubbing together. Plus it is a safety practice that lowers the likelihood of falling branches, since healthy branches rarely fall.
Crown Restoration
Crown restoration is an intense pruning process used on trees that were significantly damaged (either by pests or weather). It should be performed by an experienced arborist who knows where the tree is going to grow over time and roughly just how long it’s restoration is going to take.
Unlike other tree trimming services, crown restoration happens over an extended time period with conservative pruning that reshapes the tree. Your arborist should have a definitive plan to restore the tree, but also must be flexible as the tree begins to grow and reshape on its own, adapting to the tree’s new growth.
Vista Pruning
If you are looking for trees to increase the beauty of your landscaping, you are actually interested in vista pruning. The goal of vista pruning is to help to make the tree more visually pleasing from a particular vantage point.
It encompasses many tree trimming techniques including crown thinning, crown cleaning and crown reduction – anything that makes the trees look prettier. Remember, though, that a professional is not going to sacrifice the health of a tree, so the primary focus of vista pruning is still to maintain strong, healthy trees.
Espalier Pruning
Espaliered trees are pruned heavily to grow flat against walls or a trellis. It is a different style of tree pruning that is sure to draw a lot of attention to your landscape. Espalier pruning must be started when the tree is young and then continued very consistently during the tree’s life span.
Some of the benefits of espalier pruning include allowing maximum sunlight to reach the trees, as well as making it easier to produce fruit.
Professional Tree Pruning in Kentucky
Tree trimming can be dangerous for a tree, your lawn, and, of course, for you! KY Tree Trimming highly recommends professional tree pruning over attempting DIY.
Besides the dangers of tree trimming, you can do a lot of damage to a tree if you don’t prune it correctly. Over-pruning is one of the most typical mistakes made by homeowners maintaining their own trees.
Trees in Kentucky that get routine care from a professionals are much better off, and hiring a certified arborist from KY Tree Trimming to prune the trees on your property is a decision you won’t regret. Locate your town in our service area. We work with arborists throughout the entire state of Kentucky!
