The best time to start trimming a new tree is within the first year or two of planting. Starting to prune when young ensures that the tree maintains a healthy and attractive form as it grows to maturity. The following are examples of the types of pruning that benefit younger trees.
1. Leader Training
The leader of a tree is the main vertical branch that will develop into a trunk. Young trees sometimes send up more than one possible leader. If ignored, two or more branches will become trunks, which leads to a messy form that is more prone to splitting and breakage. Your tree service can determine which branch will make the strongest leader. They will then trim off any other leaders so the main one can develop into a strong solo trunk.
2. Crown Thinning
Sometimes newly planted trees send out a flush of new growth in response to the stress of getting established. The result is a lot of weak branches that rub together while also inhibiting nutrient absorption and air circulation. Carefully thinning out the weaker branches opens up the crown so more light and water can penetrate. It also helps reroute nutrients into root development, which is important during a tree's early years.
3. Reduction Pruning
Every branch on a tree can grow at a different rate. This can lead to overly long branches on one side of a tree, causing a lopsided appearance. Gravity doesn't favor lopsided trees, as they often blow down due to the uneven distribution of branch weight. Reduction cuts are used to head back the lateral branches to a bud node, thus shortening the reach of the branch so the crown is much more symmetrical.
4. Lifting Cuts
In the yard, it is preferable for the crown of a tree to be high enough off the ground so you can walk beneath it. Otherwise, it can be difficult to mow or move around in your yard. Your tree service will spend the first few years after a new tree is planted cutting off the lower branches, making each cut nearly flush with the trunk. The result is a high, full crown once the tree reaches maturity.
5. Branch Heading
Sometimes a tree can't be allowed to get very tall, perhaps because it will grow into powerlines or block a view. In this case, branch heading should be done while the tree is young. Heading is similar to reduction cuts, except it is the branches that reach vertically that are headed back to a bud. Each cut is made individually so the natural, rounded top of the tree can be maintained.
Contact a tree trimming service to learn more about tree cutting.
Share16 December 2022
About a year ago, I realized that part of the reason the plants in my yard kept dying was the fact that they were planted in the wrong places. I didn't pay much attention to which plants needed certain amounts of light, and it was costing them their lives. Several of the plants were really struggling to live, and it was really hard to see. I realized that if I ever wanted to make things right, I would need to create a landscaping plan that would work well for the natural landscape of my yard. This blog is all about understanding landscaping.
