Tree Maintenance

It’s just about March which means Spring is almost here. In the Tri-Cities, Springtime is the “windy season”. If you have tall trees on or around your property, you will want to be mindful of how to properly thin your trees to keep them safe in blustery conditions. Let’s continue with our series on “all things pruning”.

Improper Pruning Techniques
Sadly, the trunk or larger branches are sometimes pruned with heading cuts in order to bring a large tree to a specified size. This is called topping and is not recommended because it damages trees permanently. Heading large branches causes problems including large amounts of decay in many species, weak sprouts, and dead branch stubs. Topping can potentially kill trees. When a tree needs regular pruning to keep it small, perhaps the wrong tree was planted in that location. You might consider replanting with an appropriately sized plant, or else move the obstacle you were pruning the tree away from and structurally prune to develop strong structure. Heading cuts can be used occasionally when restoring trees following storms, and in other selected instances. Stripping out the small branches and foliage from the interior of the crown also damages trees.

We’re Here To Help!
Top Tree LLC is your best choice for any tree removal needs in West Richland. All of our technicians are highly trained and properly certified. We are happy to answer any questions you have now or in the future.

Structural pruning is needed for all trees. Pruning cuts will be small in nature leaving meaningless wounds when pruning is conducted on a regular basis. The goal is to prevent all branches and stems from growing larger than about half the diameter of the trunk. Younger trees respond better to structural pruning. Changes in branch diameter relative to trunk diameter brought about by structural pruning are slower to manifest on medium-aged and mature trees than on younger trees because the core trunk and branch structure has already been established. Prune often and begin at planting.

There are a few simple steps to maintaining a dominant trunk leader. The first step is to spot the stem that will make the best dominant trunk. It should be in the center of the crown, and crack free, openings, mechanical damage, large pruning wounds, cankers or other defects that could compromise its strength. The next step is to spot the stems and branches that might be competing with this stem. The last step is to remove those competing stems and branches back to the trunk, or subordinate by shortening them with a reduction cut. Be sure to remove branches that are clustered together and growing from the same point on the trunk. Ideally, only one large branch grows from one position on the trunk.

In contrast to younger trees, structure changes in older trees happen less because parts are much larger and growth has slowed. But, structural pruning is still recommended making two- to four-inch-diameter cuts on stems and other weak limbs. Similar to small trees, the focus is on reducing the length of stems and branches that compete with the leader, and those with defects. Removing additional branches behind the reduction cut can suppress growth rate on the pruned stem even further. Unlike reduction cuts, removing only secondary lateral branches from stems and branches that compete with the leader on mature trees causes less dysfunctional wood behind pruning cuts. However, secondary branch removal does less to relieve mechanical stress along the pruned branch than reduction. Moreover, the branch may be forced to grow too long unless it is reduced in length with a reduction cut.

We’re Here To Help!
Top Tree LLC is your best choice for any tree removal needs in Pasco. All of our technicians are highly trained and properly certified. We are happy to answer any questions you have now or in the future.

It’s almost March which means that Spring is just around the corner. In the Tri-Cities, Springtime is usually the “windy season”. If you have tall trees on or around your property, you will want to be mindful of how to properly thin your trees to keep them safe in blustery conditions.

Why Should You Prune?
Improper tree architecture or structure is at the top of the list of tree failure causes. Most failed trees are removed at very high cost in built landscapes. Pruning is less expensive than removal, and if properly done, can prevent premature tree removal and extend tree life span. When done correctly, pruning is one of the most sustainable tree inputs. On the other hand, pruning can cause structural and health problems for the tree when done improperly.

Trees that become too big lack good mechanisms to cope with the spreading habit when the crown is raised off the ground. Many trees also are not well adapted to maintain the upright, multi-leader habit. Their mechanical and biological properties are inadequate to support these forms because this is very different from their natural habit. Many defects can arise such as bark inclusions, a serious defect rare in the moist forest, is common in the union of large branches on open-grown trees. This was the cause of the failure shown above.

In response to crown raising, low aggressive limbs and stems grow up at an angle into the permanent crown in a manner unfamiliar to most trees. They can break as they grow long and heavy. Other branches may sag and get in the way requiring their removal after growing quite large. These three conditions can lead to a shortened life from cracks, broken trees, and trunk decay.

We’re Here To Help!
Top Tree LLC is your best choice for any tree removal needs in Richland. All of our technicians are highly trained and properly certified. We are happy to answer any questions you have now or in the future.