Proper pruning during the life span of a tree is important to sustain good health. However, pruning trees when they are younger reduces the amount of large limb removal as they mature. Pruning large branches on mature trees leave large wounds, increasing the tree’s vulnerability to disease and infestation. The larger the wound, the larger the surface for the introduction of disease to the tree. The smaller the wound, the faster the wound will seal and ward off infection.

A Certified Arborist will ask several questions before pruning younger trees. What is the objective? What is the reason the tree was planted in a particular spot in the first place? Was it for providing shade, noise reduction, and/or wind block? Or was it planted for fruit production, increase property value, prevent soil erosion, or improve mental or physical health in recovery? Or is the reason environmental? These questions should be addressed with property owners prior to the pruning process and communicated to the person doing the actual pruning.

Here are three major reasons trees are typically pruned:

• HEALTH: Sanitation. Removal of dead, diseased and damaged limbs. Thinning- improve penetration of light and air.
• APPEARANCE: Shape for aesthetic purposes, natural form and growth habit.
• SAFETY OF PROPERTY AND PEOPLE: Storm damaged limbs, hangers or widowmakers, raising over walkways, parking, clearing lighting and cameras.

Once the reason the tree was planted is established, the arborist can approach the pruning process of a younger tree with this in mind. Pruning may proceed with first removing dead or damaged limbs, and/or cross or competing limbs. The amount of pruning and/or if to prune will be determined by the density and health of the canopy. The arborist may recommend waiting another season or two for the canopy and root system to further establish. He/she will also take care not to over prune to prevent sun scorch or deprive the tree of much needed sugars through photosynthesis.

Your arborist can advise you on the best time to start and how much pruning your young trees need to thrive and become beautiful, healthy mature trees. First Choice has five experienced Certified Arborists on staff ready to answer all of your pruning questions.

Written by Mike Cooper & Veronica Leary
Photo by UMAINE Extension

Structural pruning is a must for landscape trees, particularly trees growing near buildings, parking areas, streets and walkways. The conditions in which a landscape tree grows is innately different from those in forests. Trees growing in forests develop a strong central stem with more proportionate branches. Outside of its natural environment, the crown of a landscape tree can flourish with lower, larger branches and many more limbs than their forest counterparts because they receive an abundance of sunlight, leaving landscape trees more prone to develop structural defects.

This can ultimately lead to breakage of branches and limbs, and even overall tree failure.  It’s especially important to give special attention to trees that expose a safety hazard to people or property. Larger trees with weak structures are most vulnerable and are the first to fall in even mild weather events.

Weak tree structure can be prevented. It starts by making proper cuts to younger trees to help guide your tree to grow stronger and increase the tree’s prospects for a long and healthy life. More established trees also benefit from proper pruning. Proper structural pruning is an easy way to avoid future, larger issues with your landscape trees. For more information, call us to schedule an appointment with one of our certified arborists.