Tree pruning in Indiana is an important professional service that beautifies and reinforces trees so they will fight off insects, diseases and inclement weather – and look breathtaking doing it!
Pruning needs to be done if you want a healthy tree, but it has to be done carefully by someone who has experience in what they’re doing. Like a certified arborist from IN Tree Trimming. Homeowners may be able to prune and trim trees safely while they are still small, but you also may be doing irreparable harm to the tree.
To safely prune trees, you need to know all of the following:
- When to prune your species of trees
- How much of the tree should be trimmed at at once
- Where to cut the branches so you do not harm the tree
Cutting too much from a tree can kill it or cause structural damage, but minimal pruning done each year benefits trees in several ways. Pruning improves the appearance of trees, makes them healthier, eliminates dying or diseased limbs and expedites fruit or flower production.
Ideally, pruning should be performed every year, but as trees get older, you may be able to go two years between pruning services. Regardless of how routinely you have your trees pruned, be sure your arborist is qualified to do the type of tree pruning your trees need. This won’t be an issue if you call IN Tree Trimming in Indiana!
Types of Tree Pruning Methods
There are 7 different ways to properly prune a tree so that it grows healthier and stronger every year.
Depending on the shape, type and health problems of your trees, one method may be more beneficial than another, but each technique has distinct benefits to consider.
Crown Thinning Your Trees
Crown thinning is common for older, overgrown trees in Indiana. This technique eliminates weak branches within the crown to allow more light and air flow through the crown. Air flow is especially important for disease prevention.
This pruning method also eliminates branches and limbs that are touching so they do not rub against each other and snap or cause weaker areas that can be an access point for insects and pests. Branches that grow at strange angles are usually removed during crown thinning.
Crown Raising Your Trees
This tree pruning method removes branches and limbs at the lower part of the crown so new limbs start higher up on the trunk. Letting low branches get too big makes them very difficult to cut off, and they can pull nutrients from the top of the tree, which leads to less fruit and a weak tree.
There are a variety of reasons you may choose to raise the crown of a tree. Frequently, it is done to clear the line of sight for automobiles and pedestrians, but it can also be done to make space for landscaping underneath the tree.
It is a common method for large trees that are close to homes and other buildings.
Crown Reduction
Crown reduction lowers the overall size of the tree’s crown from its exterior edge. It shortens branches vertically and horizontally to keep the tree at a manageable size. By reducing the size of the crown, you can eliminate the need to chop the tree down because it won’t come into contact with traffic lights, power lines or street lights.
Even if the tree isn’t close to structures like these, crown reduction will make the tree look neater because it removes irregular growth. This is a good idea for trees that are a variety of ages but are supposed to look uniform.
Crown Cleaning
Also referred to as deadwood pruning, crown cleaning is a minimally invasive trimming method that gets rid of dead, broken or diseased branches so that the rest of the tree may grow normally. These limbs can only cause problems over time.
Crown cleaning helps to make the tree look much better, and it prevents branches from rubbing together. And it is a safety practice that lowers the chance of branches falling, because healthy branches rarely fall.
Crown Restoration
Crown restoration is an intense trimming process used on trees that were severely damaged (either by pests or weather). It should be performed by a certified arborist who knows how the tree is likely to grow over time and how long it’s restoration will take.
Unlike other tree pruning services, crown restoration occurs during an extended time period with conservative pruning that reshapes the tree. Your arborist should have a plan to restore the tree, but also be flexible as the tree grows and reshapes on its own, working with the tree’s new growth.
Vista Pruning
If you want trees to help improve curb appeal, you are probably interested in vista pruning. The intent of vista pruning is to help to make the tree more aesthetically pleasing from a particular viewing point.
It encompasses many tree trimming techniques including crown thinning, crown cleaning and crown reduction – any technique that helps the trees look prettier. Remember, though, that an arborist is not going to jeopardize the health of a tree, so the focus of vista pruning is still to create strong, healthy trees.
Espalier Pruning
Espaliered trees are pruned heavily to grow flat up against a wall or a trellis. It is a different style of pruning that will draw a lot of attention to your lawn. Espalier pruning needs to be started when the tree is young and then done consistently throughout the tree’s life span.
Some of the benefits of espalier pruning include facilitating maximum sunlight to get to the trees, as well as making it much easier to produce fruit.
Professional Tree Pruning in Indiana
Tree pruning can be dangerous for a tree, your lawn, and, of course, for you! IN Tree Trimming highly suggests professional tree trimming over DIY.
Besides the possible dangers of tree trimming, you can do a lot of harm to a tree if you don’t prune it correctly. Excessive pruning is one of the most typical mistakes made by homeowners caring for their own trees.
Trees in Indiana that get routine care from a professional are usually much better off, and hiring an experienced arborist from IN Tree Trimming to prune the trees on your property is a choice you won’t regret. Locate your city in our service area. We work with arborists throughout the entire state of Indiana!
