Top Trees LLC is the best resource for any and all of your tree pruning needs whether you have us do the work or you need to do it yourself, we look forward to speaking with you.

Tip of the Day: Cut a Branch at the Collar

It’s important to cut or saw branches at the collar— just above where the branch joins the main trunk. The branch collar is the bark swell that encircles the branch. If left intact, this collar will soon grow over and cover the wound. Don’t leave stubs. They’ll rot and might become diseased.

Bonus Tip of the Day: Replace Overgrown Shrubs

Don’t force a big bush to conform to a small space by pruning. It can be done, but it’s easier to pull out an overgrown bush and plant one that will mature at a size that better fits the space.

If you’re looking to do all of your own tree pruning, we will be your biggest cheerleaders. If you ever need advice, a quick tip, or just have a quick question, please call us anyways. We will be happy to help and assist any way we can. If there is ever a job that gets to be a little too big, please give us a chance to earn your business. We are the best tree pruning service in Pasco.

Top Trees LLC is the best resource for any and all of your tree pruning needs whether you have us do the work or you need to do it yourself, we look forward to speaking with you.

Tip of the Day: Get Rid of Bad Branches

When pruning bushes, remember what some arborists call the “4 Ds.” Start with the dead and damaged branches, because they make the plant look bad, and encourage rot and disease. Also, cut out wilted, dried or diseased branches as soon as you spot them, to remove disease before it spreads. “Deranged” includes a broad range of branches that cross (the rubbing wears away the bark), loop down to the ground or simply look out of character with the bush (stick out at an odd angle or grow alongside the trunk). This pruning also thins out the bush, opening its interior to more light and air, which encourages fuller, healthier growth.

Bonus Tip of the Day: Prune One-Third of a Bush’s Canes

Cane-type bushes, such as forsythia and hydrangea, usually send up new canes from their roots every year. In general, prune out the oldest (larger) wood to control the bush height. It’s also OK to trim out newer canes to thin the interior of the plant and let in light, as well as to control spread. If one of these bushes has gotten too big and out of control, you can often cut off all the canes and the roots will send up new shoots. You’ll have a nice new bush in a year or two. Note: All bush categories have exceptions to these rules. So know your plants!

If you’re looking to do all of your own tree pruning, we will be your biggest cheerleaders. If you ever need advice, a quick tip, or just have a quick question, please call us anyways. We will be happy to help and assist any way we can. If there is ever a job that gets to be a little too big, please give us a chance to earn your business. We are the best tree pruning service in the Tri-Cities.

Top Trees LLC is the best resource for any and all of your tree pruning needs whether you have us do the work or you need to do it yourself, we look forward to speaking with you.

Tip of the Day: First-Year Bush Pruning

The first year, cut the branch tip just beyond a bud. This “heading off” technique channels more growth energy to smaller side branches, which will then fill in vacant areas. Make this cut at a side branch or 1/4 in. beyond a bud. Be selective and watch the results from the previous year to help gauge future growth. This technique works best on bushes and trees that grow mostly from one or a few stalks, as opposed to bushes that continually send up new shoots (suckers), like lilacs and forsythia.

Bonus Tip of the Day: Avoid Flattop Bush Pruning

It’s tempting to grab the hedge shears and shape a bush by cutting off the branch tips. This “flattop haircut” approach may look fine for a year or two, but it stimulates growth on the outermost branches, forces the bush to grow into an unnatural shape (your idea rather than the plant’s) and fails to control size. The bush actually grows larger and becomes more difficult to bring back to size without being ruined. The exception is hedge-type bushes.

If you’re looking to do all of your own tree pruning, we will be your biggest cheerleaders. If you ever need advice, a quick tip, or just have a quick question, please call us anyways. We will be happy to help and assist any way we can. If there is ever a job that gets to be a little too big, please give us a chance to earn your business. We are the best tree pruning service in Kennewick.