Creating More Living Space Outdoors

Keep Your Trees Healthy: 4 Reasons You Should Trim Your Trees

by Emily Flores

If you're not familiar with tree-maintenance, you might not know that your trees will need to be pruned each year. Pruning is one of the best ways to keep your trees healthy. Here's a quick guide to help you understand the benefits of pruning your trees once a year.

Improves Growth and Shape

Trees that are not pruned on a regular basis, often develop problems with their growth. Some of those problems include:

  • Top-heaviness: too much growth on top
  • Low-hanging branches: branches that grow too close to the ground
  • Numerous suckers: small offshoots that take nutrients from heartier branches
  • Insufficient airflow through the branches: lack of oxygen interferes with proper growth

Pruning your trees once a year will help you control their growth by removing unnecessary branches.

Removes Diseases

Diseases can destroy your trees, especially if the diseases are allowed to spread. If diseased limbs are not removed from trees, the disease can spread to surrounding trees. You can keep your trees healthy by removing infected limbs and branches as soon as the disease is spotted.

Once you've removed the infected branches, you should cut them into small pieces and throw them away. Don't leave them near healthy trees or you risk the danger of cross-contamination.

Controls Pest Infestations

Insects can invade your trees. Unfortunately, if you don't inspect your trees on a regular basis, you might not notice the problem until your trees are fully infested. If the leaves on your trees begin to turn yellow or they lose their leaves before it's time, you might have an insect problem.

You'll need to remove each branch that has been infested with insects. Once you've removed the infested branches, give your trees a treatment of soapy water to keep the insects away.

Supplies You'll Need

  • Garden sprayer
  • Fresh water
  • Powdered soap

Directions

  1. Fill your garden sprayer with water.
  2. Add 1 cup of powdered soap.
  3. Spray your trees with the soapy water.
  4. Repeat the process once a month to keep bugs away.

Protects Against Accidents and Injuries

Trees that grow too large can create hazardous situations. For instance, large trees can be blown over during wind storms. Unruly branches can extend past your property line and block road signs. If your trees have grown too tall or are blocking street signs, you need to have them trimmed as soon as possible.

You want to protect your trees. Keeping your trees well-maintained and properly pruned are among the best ways to keep your trees healthy. For a professional pruning service, contact a tree maintenance company, like McGinty Bros., Inc. Professional Lawn & Tree Care, to schedule an appointment.

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