Tree Maintenance

Do you need to find the best tree thinning service in the Tri-Cities? We are it. However, if you’re looking to tackle the job yourself, we are happy to help by providing whatever information we can.

Tip of the Day: How to Sharpen Hedge Shears

Before sharpening hedge shears, check the pivot nut. The nut should be snug with no play. If the shears still cut poorly, look down each blade to make sure it’s not bent. If a blade is slightly bent, loosen the pivot nut and separate the blades. To straighten the blade, put it in a vise, slip on some thick leather gloves and tweak it until it’s straight.

Next, file the edge to expose clean metal. Examine the factory edge. Hold the file with both hands and mimic the direction of the bevel. Now move the file in one broad stroke away from you along the entire cutting angle. Don’t use small, jerky strokes or you’ll lose the factory edge. As you work, you can see the clean metal path left by the file. Adjust your angle as needed to file the entire edge evenly. Repeat this motion several times until you expose clean metal over the whole edge. Usually it’ll take only about 10 strokes. Do the same with the other blade.

Finally, sand the backside of the blade. Place a sheet of 300-grit wet/dry sandpaper on a smooth, flat piece of plywood. You’ll be able to feel the burrs (be careful, they’re sharp) on the back side of each blade. To remove them, lightly sand the backside of the blade. Keep the blade flat and move it in a circular motion. After making several circles, pick up the blade and gently feel the edge. When the burrs are gone, assemble the blades and lightly oil the moving parts with Three-In-One oil.

If you’re looking to do all of your own tree thinning, 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 thinning 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: 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.