To make a tree look more neat, attractive and to allow them or help them to grow strong, pruning trees are important. One can remove all the unnecessary and awful look from a tree by pruning. By pruning, the damaged branches can be removed which will allow the tree to grow or create a new distinctive shape.
For pruning a tree, you need to follow some specific guidelines so that you do not end up in damaging the tree rather than enhancing the beauty of it.
In this particular article, we will show you some basic rules or guidelines which will allow you to prune a tree in a well mannered and structured way. You must follow these carefully to make your pruning success.
How to Prune a Tree?
These are the steps you need to follow for pruning a tree:
1. Choosing The Season
Firstly, you need to decide why you need to prune and what you need to prune. Is the tree going to be used for shade? Or did you prune the tree recently? Have a clear answer to these questions as the answers will determine how you will prune the tree.
You have to select your time or season carefully for pruning. Because the purpose why you are going to prune the tree will be affected greatly by seasons.
For example, if you want lighter pruning then you may choose the summer season because the spring is far enough from summer. As trees grow fast at spring and slow at summer so lighter pruning will not affect much at summer.
If you have a larger goal with pruning like cutting branches then you may choose the winter season, because the spring is right after the winter and there happens a huge explosion of growth during the spring. So shaping the tree by pruning can be done efficiently at the winter season.
2. Analyze The Tree
Secondly, you need to analyze the tree for a few moments. You need to observe the size and shape of the tree and also have to have an imagination about how the tree will look like when you are finished pruning.
3. Identify The Major Branches
Thirdly, you need to identify the major branches of the tree, especially those branches which form up the skeleton of the tree. You must not remove these branches from the tree while pruning.
4. Identify Partially Damaged Branches
Fourthly, you need to identify the branches, which are weak or partially damaged or show some signs of weakness. These branches can be damaged by weather or storm or for several causes but you need to remove them first.
Pruning them will help the tree greatly as the water and nutrients absorbed from the ground can be redistributed to the healthy branches of the tree.
5. Select The Area
Then you need to select the area from where you will start pruning. Thick areas should have first priority to be pruned out. To make the sunlight reach all the branches and allow uniform air circulation throughout the branches, you should first cut branches that cross.
Branches need well air circulation and sunlight as too adjacent branches cause fungus growth rapidly and allow the insects to attack the tree. So prune the branches that grow toward or inward the center of the tree. These types of branches are the causes of clutter and affect the health of the tree.
6. Prune The Branches That Cause Obstructions
After that, you need to eliminate those branches of the tree that acts as any kind of obstructions. The lower branches can be low enough to block out the passers-by walkway or the higher branches can cause disturbance to the telephone or electricity wires, threatening your roof or putting extra pressure on your house. So it is necessary to prune out the branches that cause these kinds of annoyance. A cordless pole saw can be excellent for pruning out these branches.
7. Be Careful When Pruning
You should be careful enough and prune the tree in such a way that it keeps the shape of the tree. If you choose to provide your tree with a round shape or a clear looking shape you need to prune branches at that required angles. A few cuts will make a huge difference!
You also need to minimize the pruning process as much as possible. Each cut you are doing to the tree will make the tree more vulnerable to fungus attacks and insect infections. So do not prune the tree more than your absolute need. And try to keep the removal of branches maximum 25% of the tree’s total branches.
Additional Tips for Pruning
- Try to choose winter season to prune a tree, as it is a dormant season for trees. Cut the branches from the underside of them to prevent them from cracking closely to the trunk.
- Keep several inches distance from the trunk where you are going to cut off the branch. Remove the stub precisely right against the stem collar.
- After all kind of pruning, wash and clean your pruning equipment.
- Do not prune a tree twice or more in a season. Do not cut its branches or trim it just after a storm attack. Trees need a minimum time to recover on their own.
Last Words
So, we hope after reading this article you have a clear idea on how to prune a tree. Pruning a tree requires the combination of proper knowledge and technique. Go through the steps mentioned here carefully before you start to prune your first tree.
