Whether you’re trimming trees to maintain their condition or trying to stop branches from becoming too overgrown, tree maintenance is one of the most important aspects of any garden care regime. However, have you thought about reshaping your trees?
There are lots of benefits of tree pruning, from encouraging healthy growth to changing the appearance of the crown. Here’s everything you need to know.
What are the benefits of regular tree pruning?
Regular professional tree pruning can help you create the shape you want for your trees, encouraging them to grow in a particular direction or grow healthier than before.
It’s an opportunity to remove deadwood from the plant while controlling the growth, minimising the risks of dead branches causing damage by falling. For example, it may involve crown thinning to take away secondary branches to help your trees ‘sail’ better through stormy weather.
Pruning can also prevent pests from spreading by reducing the density of the crown and stopping overcrowded branches from rubbing up against each other.
Moreover, trimming trees can actually encourage new growth, leading to healthier flowering while strengthening the existing branches.
Can anyone reshape a tree?
Tree pruning is often best left to professionals if you’re unsure about what you’re doing, as it could cause damage to the tree if you use the wrong techniques.
Creating the right shape takes an understanding of how trees grow, knowledge about the shapes that work best in a space and the effect of cutting away certain sections. If you make a mistake, it can take many years to rectify.
A professional tree surgeon will make strategic decisions about the right cuts to perform while quickly identifying any deadwood affecting the tree’s health.
Best ways to reshape garden trees
There are many different ways to reshape garden trees, so ask your local tree surgeon to recommend the best tactic to keep yours as healthy as possible. Formative pruning is a particularly important method of shaping trees and hedges in their early years, especially in fruit trees that need a strong network of branches.
Essential tasks may include work completed to the crown, such as reducing its size or removing dead and decayed branches. An arborist may also suggest thinning the crown to allow more light into your outdoor spaces or ‘lifting’, which involves removing lower branches to encourage more canopy growth above and expanded views from underneath.
Some tree species may also qualify for pollarding. This technique involves removing most of a tree’s branches to quickly manage its growth towards vulnerable sites such as power lines and buildings.
Ask your local tree surgeon for advice
Are you looking for a reliable tree surgeon who can help with all your tree pruning needs? At DH Tree Services, we’re highly experienced in tree care solutions, working across Surrey and South West London locations such as Caterham and Cheam.
For more information and expert advice, contact us now.
