Trees add shade, insulation, and beauty to your home, but they also require a level of maintenance to keep them looking their best. When it comes to keeping your home safe and well-maintained, regular tree trimming is highly recommended. Read on to learn more about why you need to trim your trees, how to do it, and much more for a safe and beautiful landscape.
Tree Trimming – Why Should you do it?
It’s easy for trees to become overgrown, especially if you’re in a climate where your trees can thrive. There are several reasons why tree trimming is a necessary part of good home maintenance.
First, trimming your trees regularly will ensure that broken or dead limbs are removed before they fall onto your home or worse, on an actual person. Trimming the branches will prevent limbs from falling onto your roof or causing a serious injury to yourself or someone you love. Contact your local tree trimming services if you see any branches that cause concern.
Another smart reason to trim your trees is that it enhances your home’s curb appeal. Overgrown and rotting branches don’t exactly look beautiful, and they can make your home look unkempt and messy from the outside.
Of course, tree trimming should also be performed to maintain the good health of your trees. Diseased or dead tree limbs can cause the trees to rot or die, which is much more expensive to remedy than regular trimming. This ensures proper growth, healthier trees, and that they grow strong for years to come.
What is the Best Time for Tree Trimming?
The best time to trim trees is either in late winter or in the early months of spring. You want to make sure that the coldest days have already passed and that you trim the trees before new buds start to grow. Never trim your trees when the outside temperatures are frigid and extremely low.
Pruning your trees in the fall can stimulate new growth. However, this isn’t always a good idea since it’s right before the harsh conditions of winter arrive. Diseases like fungi and other tree problems are also more prevalent during the fall which can cause your trees to become sick or worse, die.
Try not to trim your trees when it’s moist or humid outside, or while it’s raining. Doing so could promote the growth of mold, bacteria, and diseases. Ideally, you should trim or prune the branches when it’s mild, dry, and sunny so that the branches grow healthy and strong.
How to Trim a Tree
If you decide that you’re going to trim your trees yourself, there are some important things to keep in mind. First, you’ll need to know where to cut the trees so that they grow healthily and safely on your property.
Start by trimming the branches that cross and intersect each other. If any branches are low and getting in the way of your walkway or garden, those can also be trimmed.
Look around your home and trim away branches that could be blocking your windows as well as those blocking doors and entryways. Any branches hovering over your rooftop should also be removed to prevent structural damage.
When you get ready to do some tree trimming, make sure that you have the right tree trimming tools. You’ll need a quality, sturdy ladder if you’re planning to trim branches that are high up. Always have a spotter with you to make sure that you do this safely.
You should always wear safety glasses, gloves, and hearing protection when tree trimming. This is especially important if you are using a chainsaw to cut larger branches down. A hand saw can be used for smaller branches as well as a sharp, quality pruning tool.
When to Call the Pros
If you’re unsure about trimming your trees or you don’t have the tools, professional tree trimming services can help. Even if you plan to do this DIY, there are times when it’s best to leave the task to the professionals.
Any branches that are four inches in diameter or larger should be cut by a professional service. Always consider tree trimming costs, too. It might be more expensive to purchase all of the tools you need than it would be to simply hire a team of professionals to handle the job.
Another key reason to resort to using a professional is safety. If you’ve never trimmed trees before or don’t have any experience working with these types of tools, you may want to let someone else handle the job for you.
If you do decide to trim your trees yourself, remember that you’ll be responsible for cleaning up your yard and removing the debris yourself. However, most tree trimming services include cleanup as part of their package so that you don’t have to worry about removing limbs, leaves, and branches from your yard when it’s done.
Say Goodbye to Overgrown Trees
As you can see, regular tree trimming is important to maintain your property and to keep your family safe. When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to consult with professionals to help you remove dead limbs and to keep the trees on your property healthy for years to come.
If you need your trees trimmed or removed, Grace Tree Service can help. Be sure to contact us today to find out more about our pricing, services, and to answer your tree-related questions.