Sometimes it’s obvious when you need to trim a tree. For example, if a recent storm broke a branch and it’s dangling dangerously overhead, the time to trim your tree is now.
However, it’s not always that obvious. If you have your choice of timing, when should you trim trees? This post discusses what you need to know about tree trimming in St. Louis, MO, including why, how, and when to trim trees.
Why To Trim Trees
Before we address when to trim trees, let’s talk about the benefits of trimming your trees.
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- Keep trees healthy: Pruning supports tree health and growth, including promoting fruiting, improving airflow, and stopping the spread of disease.
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- Improve the shape: Strategic trimming enhances the tree’s shape, boosting its structural strength and aesthetic appeal.
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- Prevent damage: Removing overgrown, weak, and damaged branches can prevent them from falling and endangering people, pets, and property.
- Boost property value: Healthy, well-maintained mature trees provide shade, enhance your landscape, and add value to your property.
When To Trim Trees
When it comes to damaged branches and deadwood removal, there is never a bad time to trim. You don’t want disease to spread or an accident to happen while waiting for the ideal time. That said, the best time to prune most trees is mid to late winter.
Dormant season pruning has several benefits. First, the lack of leaves makes it easier to see damaged and broken branches. Second, there are fewer pests and pathogens around to enter open wounds. Pruning just before the spring growth spurt also gives the tree the best chance for proper wound closure and new growth at the first sign of warm weather.
While late winter pruning is a good rule of thumb, the right time depends on the type and age of the tree. For example, late-blooming deciduous trees like smoke trees and hawthorn should be pruned in early spring. On the other hand, you should wait to prune early-blooming flowering trees like magnolia and ornamental cherry until after they finish blooming.
How To Trim Trees
A professional arborist will know how to prune your trees for the best results. However, there are four general methods for pruning trees.
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- Crown cleaning — Removing dead, diseased, and broken branches, which can be done at any time of the year
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- Crown thinning — Reducing the density of a tree by trimming select live branches
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- Crown raising — Lifting the bottom edge of tree branches to clear a space underneath
- Crown reduction — Strategically removing old growth to encourage new growth on mature trees
Contact Your Local Tree-Trimming Experts Today!
Now that we’ve answered “When should you trim trees?” the licensed arborists at Liscombe Tree Service are standing by for all your tree care needs. If you have a tree that needs urgent trimming, we provide 24/7 emergency tree services. If you can’t tell if a tree needs to be trimmed, we can help there too!
Contact us today for reliable, professional tree services across the St. Louis area.